[Verse 1] They call me 12 Gauge Rolling west with a load and a prayer Had a hard life, baby More nights in the dark than the daylight air Mama cried at the table Daddy left his boots by the door I learned early, darling You don't get back what you begged life for [Pre-Chorus] But I kept on driving Kept my hands on the wheel Every scar turned honest Every wound learned how to heal [Chorus] 12 Gauge, still rolling 12 Gauge, still here I got broken bones and a brave old heart And a lesson in every tear 12 Gauge, still singing At the honky-tonk bar If you wanna know how I survived I’ll tell you where the bruises are (Where the bruises are) [Verse 2] Loved a girl in Baton Rouge She wore red on a Friday night I gave her my last good dollar She gave me a goodbye in the morning light I still taste that regret Like smoke in a mason jar But I learned love ain't possession It's letting go when enough's enough [Pre-Chorus] So I kept on driving With the hurt in my chest If you drown in the memory You never meet the rest [Chorus] 12 Gauge, still rolling 12 Gauge, still here I got broken bones and a brave old heart And a lesson in every tear 12 Gauge, still singing At the honky-tonk bar If you wanna know how I survived I’ll tell you where the bruises are (Where the bruises are) [Bridge] I sing for the widow I sing for the kid on the run I sing for the man who was praying He could outrun what he'd done Sacrifice ain't pretty It'll empty out your hands But sometimes losing something Is the only way a soul can stand [Chorus] 12 Gauge, still rolling 12 Gauge, still here I got broken bones and a brave old heart And a lesson in every tear 12 Gauge, still singing At the honky-tonk bar If you wanna know how I survived I’ll tell you where the bruises are (Where the bruises are) [Outro] So pour one for the wounded For the ones who never quit I ain't made of silver Just a scar that learned to spit 12 Gauge, still rolling Down this long dirt road Trying to heal myself and you With every song I know (With every song I know)
