Tyler Halverson guides the listener across God’s country. “As They Did,” a solo write by Halverson, depicts “coming across the plains and seeing it just as they did… the way God intended it to be,” he shares on Instagram. Piano dances in the sun, as the harmonica twists in the wind.

“I wish I could have seen it just as they did / Lookin’ over God’s country sittin’ top of a ridge,” sings Halverson, painting in rich detail. “By the seat of a horse or an old wagon train / On that sea of prairie settin’ sail ‘cross the plains / Chasin the sun, headin’ westbound for more / Out where the mountains and  the eagle do soar.”

“As They Did” packs on emotional wallop, owed to not only the lyric brilliance but Halverson’s plainspoken vocal performance. He allows the evocative imagery to carry him along, as though he’s zip-lining overhead. He envisions the same path as the settlers once sojourned all those years ago. It’s both a polished set and rustic, trembling with adherence to country tradition.

Listen to “As They Did” below.

Originally from Canton, South Dakota, Halverson draws upon vast influences. He finds inspiration in the likes of Garth Brooks, George Strait, Hayes Carll, Boyz II Men, Taking Back Sunday, and The Used. To say he has an understanding of what makes good music is an understatement. In his work, he crafts timeless tales about life, love, loss, and heartache. “As They Did” pulse with the vitality of newly-discovered land, unmarred by the human touch.