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.