Written by: Larry Crane

Performed by: John Mellencamp



We started out

With a sin and a lie

And moved on to 'what's in it for me,'

And when trouble washed up, hell, we just let it flow by

And our kindness just washed out to sea.



They say Jesus died

On the old rugged cross

To save you from people like me

And Daddy, he slaved

For an uncaring boss,

'Cause nothin' worth nothin's for free



Now saviors, they work

Lots of overtime,

And sinners just try to get by

And the losers, they play

'Til they've spent their last dime

With the comfort of knowing they tried



Well, they say Jesus died

On the old rugged cross

To save you from people like me

And Daddy, he worked

For an uncaring boss

'Cause nothin' worth nothin's for free.



Well, I've lived a good life

And I've lived a bad,

And they both felt like sweet liberty,

And I felt the storm coming,

My redemption at hand

And everything good comes for free.



Well, they say Jesus died

On the old rugged cross

To save you from people like me.

And Daddy, he slaved

For an uncaring boss,

Nothin' worth nothin's for free.



Well, they say Jesus died

On the old rugged cross

And nothin' worth nothin's for free.