Zach Bryan’s “East Side of Sorrow” Lyrics Meaning

“East Side of Sorrow” is a song of mourning. Put simply, it finds Zach more or less highlighting the challenges of coming from a background similar to his own. Zach comes from a part of Oklahoma known as Oologah, which doesn’t appear to be a violent ‘hood at all, rather being more akin to a small town. 

But as implied on this track, it may be the type of place where young men are compelled to join the military. Indeed, Zach himself joined the Marines at the youngest age possible, that being 17. Furthermore many, if not most of his familial elders were likewise members of the US Navy.

Verse 1

In the first verse, we are introduced to a soldier. This soldier, on a sentimental and let’s also say spiritual level, has been forced to contend with the loss of comrades on the field. 

The lyrics sorta give the impression that Zach was drafted, which he wasn’t. But more to the intended point in that regard is him highlighting that as a “boy”, he and others were deployed to war. In the process, they killed and got killed, while concurrently not ‘knowing what they were fighting for’. 

So it’s as if that confusion so to speak, coupled with losing homeys along the way, has made the pain of being stuck out in a foreign land that much more painful. The situation is so desperate to the point where Bryan prays to the Most High to ‘bring him home’.

Verses 2 and 3

The second verse focuses more on a specific, unidentified loved one he lost. It has been suggested that Zach may be referring to his late mom, someone whom he has memorialized in song in the past. And we see in the passage that this is someone who apparently died closer to home, i.e. in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

But again, it’s not clear who exactly this person is supposed to be. All lyrics considered, it may for instance be a navy buddy who perhaps was injured on the field, made it back home but then subsequently passed away.

For example, the third verse centers on a subject who, as depicted, has “lost his mind”. The people in the community are unable to pin down what in particular has made him this way. They therefore conclude that it’s either something hereditary, alcohol-related or in “his conscience”. 

It is also revealed that he did time in the Navy. So the presumption would be that whatever may be bothering his conscience is something he did while out on the field of war.

And the vocalist goes on to imply that such a scenario is a recurring tragedy in his ‘hood.

Or viewed from a different angle, where he comes the biggest problem residents face isn’t crime or lack of opportunity per se. Rather, it is the likes of alcohol (which, according to some reports, contributed to Bryan’s mother’s passing) and being compelled to embark on a military career, along with all of the negative consequences that such a decision entails. 

And that appears to be the premise behind this piece, that, coming from such a community, the vocalist has had to deal with his fair share of related trauma in his young life.

Thesis Sentiment of “East Side of Sorrow”

With the above being established, then comes the thesis sentiment, i.e. the chorus. What Zach has learned along the way, i.e. the response he feels he has received from the Most High concerning his lamentations, is that “the sun’s gonna rise tomorrow somewhere on the east side of sorrow”. 

In context, that reads like another way of Bryan concluding that better days are ahead. Therefore, with that belief in his heart, he’s more inclined to remain optimistic. His not going to let himself be consumed by grief or pessimism. So in the process, he has to learn to “let it be” and “let it go”, i.e. to take the disappointments in stride, if you will.

“He said the sun’s gonna rise tomorrow
Somewhere on the east side of sorrow
You better pack your bags west
Stick out your chest
And then hit the road
The sun’s gonna rise tomorrow
Somewhere on the east side of sorrow
Don’t give it a reason to follow
Let it be, then let it go
Let it be, then let it go”

Credits for “East Side of Sorrow”

Zach Bryan produced and wrote “East Side of Sorrow” on his own.

Release Date

This song is featured on Zach Bryan’s fourth-studio album. This album, which is an eponymous project, was made public on 25 August 2023.