On October 2, 2007, the song “Southside of Heaven” was released by Ryan Bingham. He wrote this song all by himself, and it was produced by Lucas Hoge and Marc Ford.
Ryan Bingham’s song “Southside of Heaven” is a touching and reflective piece that explores feelings of longing, redemption, and the quest for a place to call home.
When he sings about the “southside of heaven,” it’s not necessarily a reference to the afterlife. Instead, it represents a peaceful place he longs for here on Earth. In the song, Bingham portrays himself as a simple, yet troubled man—a wandering, thoughtful soul in search of his own sanctuary in the world.
In this article, we’ll dive into the deeper meaning behind the lyrics of “Southside of Heaven.”
“Southside Of Heaven” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
When I die, Lord, won’t you put my soul up on a train
Won’t you send it southbound
Give it a cool blues-man name?
I’ve been lost on them back roads
So many times, I’ve gone blind
Losing faith in my family
Had driven me out of my damn mind
In verse 1, the singer talks about his wishes for what should happen when he dies. He asks the God to put his soul on a southbound train with a cool blues-man name, which refers to a name that is associated with someone who plays or sings the blues genre of music.
When he sings, “I’ve been lost on them back roads,” the singer is expressing regrets about feeling lost and not being recognized as a bluesman. This has led to a loss of faith in his family and feelings of frustration. He sings, “Losing faith in my family/Had driven me out of my damn mind.”
[Chorus]
But on the south side of heaven
Won’t you take me home?
Cause I’ve been broke down for so long
And Lord, it’s getting cold
The Chorus expresses the singer’s longing and desire. He asks to be taken to the “south side of heaven,” which symbolizes a place of comfort and peace on Earth.
The singer feels like he’s been broken and stuck in a difficult situation for a long time. The line “it’s getting cold” is a metaphor. It symbolizes the hardships the singer is going through.
[Verse 2]
I’ve been a desperado in West Texas
For so long Lord, I need a change
For ten long years this old place ain’t seen a drop of rain
And that wind blows everyday Lord, all like a desert snow
Like a lost bound train running on cocaine and outta control
Verse 2 portrays the singer’s experiences and frustrations in West Texas. The singer expresses a desire for change, as he has been living in West Texas for ten long years.
Here, the scenes depicted by the singer are actually metaphors. The line “For ten long years this old place ain’t seen a drop of rain” symbolizes a prolonged period of drought or lack of positive change, which can be seen as a metaphor for hopelessness.
Similarly, describing the wind blowing every day “like a desert snow” reinforces the idea of a desolate and lifeless environment, often associated with a lack of vibrancy and opportunity for success.
The final line “Like a lost bound train running on cocaine and outta control” also carries a metaphorical meaning. It symbolizes the chaos and disorder in the singer’s life due to the harsh environment he finds himself in.
These metaphors highlight the singer’s sense of despair and the need for a fresh start. The singer hopes for something different and better in his life.
[Verse 3]
Long down the Louisiana byways
Lonesome highways roll on
Won’t you take me where the poor man lives
Its where I call my home
And can’t you see that a breeze, nothin’ but a change in pace
Money can’t buy my soul, cause it comes from a hard earned place
Verse 3 describes the singer’s desire for a different place and way of life. He mentions traveling down the Louisiana byways and lonesome highways, expressing a longing to be taken to where poor people live, which he considers his true home.
The verse emphasizes that the singer values simplicity and a change in pace. He highlights that money cannot buy his soul because it comes from a place of hard-earned experiences.
This verse underscores the narrator’s yearning for a more authentic and meaningful life, away from materialism, and a connection with a humble, down-to-earth existence.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Southside Of Heaven”
“Southside of Heaven” by Ryan Bingham is a song that reflects the artist’s personal experiences. Ryan Bingham grew up in a small and tough town in West Texas, and this song draws inspiration from his upbringing.
In the lyrics, he talks about being a “desperado in West Texas” and mentions a ten-year drought without rain, symbolizing the hardships he faced. His early life was filled with challenges, including family issues.
In the song, Bingham asks God for guidance to a peaceful place in the south, which he refers to as the “Southside of Heaven.” Many believe that through prayer and good deeds, one can find inner peace and happiness.
Whether or not the Lord can truly lead him to such a haven remains uncertain, but the song beautifully expresses his longing for change, renewal, and a sense of belonging.
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