Cover art for Oak Island by Zach Bryan
Jul. 4, 20243 viewers74.7K views

Oak Island Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Rail-tie worker, I've been layin' ties on cold ground
But I'm leavin' this evenin' on the same tracks I laid down
There's some boys out in Jersey that are callin' me out by name
I got a reason to believe I ain't glory-bound anyway

[Verse 2]
And if you're readin' this letter tell my mother and my brother that I love 'em
He's got the better blood of my old man and our cousins
But he made a bad deal with some boys out on Oak Island
And if he don't pay they say they're bound to find him

[Chorus]
But if I find 'еm on that island first
The worst is yet to come

'Causе no blood in the mud I's raised in
Spent life on the run


[Verse 3]
And I went to Jay's tavern and it happens that them boys were there
Recognized his backside from the color of our mother's hair
And my brother found another way to make himself a decent little livin'
He turned around and found himself a lickin' only blood could give him
And I told him I was there to keep him clear of that island
He said, "I love you Mickey, but I found out that I'm them"
And I got bad blood with some blood out on Oak Island
And if he stays I say I am bound to find him
[Chorus]
But if I find 'em on that island first
The worst is yet to come
'Cause no blood in the mud we's raised in
Spent life on the run

About

This song bio is unreviewed
Genius Annotation

This song seems to be heavily influenced by Bruce Springsteen’s “Highway Patrolman,” in which the narrator, a state trooper, finds himself in a high-speed chase with his brother who is fleeing from a murder scene. The narrator chooses to stop his patrol car and allows his brother to escape across the Canadien border.

In this song, Mickey chooses differently than the narrator from Springsteen’s song. Instead of trying to help his brother like Springsteen’s character, he decides that his brother is bound to meet the same fate as the original antagonists of Oak Island.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

How did the song perform commercially?
Genius Answer

During the tracking week ending July 20, 2024, the song debuted at #48 on the Hot 100.

Credits
Recorded At
Electric Lady Studios
Release Date
July 4, 2024
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