Amid the viral success of his song “Rich Men North of Richmond,” Farmville, Virginia-based singer-songwriter Oliver Anthony has released a new song that discusses feelings of hopelessness.
The song, called “I Want to Go Home,” was originally posted to TikTok in March but was shared on YouTube with a new video on Tuesday, August 22.
The song discusses mental illness, hopelessness, the lack of prayer in our lives and socio-economic divisions, among other things.
Anthony starts the acoustic ballad by lamenting the state of the world.
“Well, if it won't for my old dogs and the good Lord / They'd have me strung up in the psych ward / 'Cause every day livin' in this new world / Is one too many days to me,” he begins.
“Son, we're on the brink of the next world war / And I don't think nobody's prayin' no more / And I ain't sayin I know it for sure / I'm just down on my knees / Beggin', Lord, take me home,” the singer-songwriter continues.
The song goes on to highlight feelings of being lost, the urbanization of farmland, and the overindulgence in television media, The New York Post reports.
The music video, which has been viewed more than 3.2 million times since Tuesday and is trending at number 29 on the YouTube trending charts, concludes with Mark 8:36 sprawled across the screen. The verse reads, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Earlier this month, Anthony, whose real name is Christopher Anthony Lunsford, became an overnight success with his chart-topping song “Rich Men North of Richmond.” The song, which laments the struggles of working-class Americans, was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Related:
Country Musician Goes Viral with Ballad about American Working Class
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Jirattawut
Video courtesy: ©Oliver Anthony Music
Related podcast:
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Salem Web Network and Salem Media Group.
Kayla Koslosky is the former Editor of ChristianHeadlines.com. She has B.A. degrees in English and History and previously wrote for and was the managing editor of the Yellow Jacket newspaper. She has also contributed to IBelieve.com and Crosswalk.com.