I ain't never been no hero, decorated, loved, or famed,
And when they write this age's story it won't include my name
But in some forgotten field, on a lonely granite slab
Just me and mine know God and time were lone things that could bend my back

(Chorus)
So take that heavy load and put it right down on my shoulders
I ain't afraid of nothing, bring it on, 'cause running from a fight never made no soldier
It's the weight that makes the shining diamonds from the plain black coal
And it's the grind that sharpens that knife
And fire tests gold

Just like my mama told me, when I was still so young
This life is not for faint hearts, gotta be brave, you gotta be tough,
So I watch blister turn to callous, let strife make me strong
So things that come down crush everyone else are gonna be my stepping stones

(Chorus)

I ain't never been no hero, decorated, loved, or famed
And when they write this age's story it won't include my bame
So when old Grim come's a-calling, and we dance into the pale
I hope he don't mind the steel in my spine and the dirt under my nails

(Chorus)
Yeah, it's the grind that sharpens that knife
And fire tests gold.

Fire Tests Gold (demo)

Long Way (demo)

Drag in Home Tonight (demo)

Zach & Cheyloe are a _____ duo from the deep south. They, quite literally, draw a blank when it comes to genre. "Fire Tests Gold" may make you think of blues rock until "Without You" tumbles you headlong into indie folk. You may be able to hang out there for a while but eventually songs like "Actin' Like a Fool" or "Drag in Home Tonight" will take you right into the country and beyond. Z&C often march under the "alt-country" banner but their sound is a jigsaw puzzle: many different pieces that come together perfectly to create a picture of two people who love the craft of songwriting.