Lyrics

John Steele never meant to be the one to make his mama cry
Never meant to be the one to keep her up at night
Woke up one too many mornings on the wrong side of the law
If he didn’t learn the hard way, John Steele didn’t learn at all

Now John Steele’s mother turns her back against the wind
Curse the devil’s choice: giving up or giving in
She’s done fighting battles she knows can’t bewon
All her prayers just come down to one:
God save the mother who can’t save her son

John Steele wasn’t a hardened man, he was only 24
With tattoos on his arms and chest like the coat Jacob’s son wore
His mother prayed for his soul on her rosary
He’d laugh, and say “it’s all good Ma, don’t worry about me”
Now John Steele’s mother turns her back against the wind
Curse the devil’s choice: giving up or giving in
She’s done fighting battles she knows can’t bewon
All her prayers just come down to one:
God save the mother who can’t save her son

Now she holds a folded photograph to her heart the way
A sinner holds on to Jesus on Judgment Day

Now John Steele’s mother turns her back again
Hears that same sad melody like a lonesome mandolin
There’s no more battles that can’t be won
All her prayers still come down to one:
God save the mother who can’t save her son
God save the mother who can’t save her son