I'm just an American boy, raised on MTV
And I've seen all the kids in the soda pop ads
But none of 'em look like me.
So I started lookin' around for a light out of the dim
And the first thing I heard that made sense was the word
Of Mohammed, peace be upon him

A shadu la ilaha illa Allah
There is no God but God

If my daddy could see me now â?? chains around my feet
He don't understand that sometimes a man's
Got to fight for what he believes
And I believe God is great, all praise due to him
And if I should die, I'll rise up to the sky
Just like Jesus, peace be upon him

We came to fight the Jihad, and our hearts were pure and strong.
As death filled the air, we all offered up prayers
And prepared for our martyrdom.
But Allah had some other plan, some secret not revealed
Now they're draggin' me back with my head in a sack
To the land of the infidel.

A shadu la ilaha illa Allah
A shadu la ilaha illa Allah


Lyrics submitted by grouping

John Walker's Blues Lyrics as written by Stephen F. (fain) Earle

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

John Walker's Blues song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

9 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment

    You have got to love this song. One of my favorites from Jerusalem. In fact, one of my favorite Steve Earle songs ever. And I like all of Earle's songs, so that's saying something. And you're right, Bellyfull of Swans, a) The lack of Earle songs on here is surprising, and b) He's got real guts to have written this song at all, especially at the given time. John Walker Lind needed a sympathetic voice, and Steve delivered it.

    Buddha of Suburbiaon March 01, 2005   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
Magical
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
Blue
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.