The Gospel Accordin' To John
(Kinky Friedman, Roger Friedman)
He was just an old-time preacher on the olâ"š¬â"ž¢ time radio
But they never learn to listen till they lived enough to know.
I used to walk out on that porch when mamaâ"š¬â"ž¢d turn the durn thing on
To the Gospel accordinâ"š¬â"ž¢ to John.
Her mail-order prayer shawl fell across her silver hair,
Her sad eyes saw a better world when John came on the air.
Mama had someone to turn to â"š¬" she was rockinâ"š¬â"ž¢ all night long
To the Gospel accordinâ"š¬â"ž¢ to John.
You see, she was a blind believer in Johnâ"š¬â"ž¢s bible beatinâ"š¬â"ž¢ game.
Heâ"š¬â"ž¢d heal â"š¬í‹Å“em, wheel â"š¬í‹Å“em, deal â"š¬í‹Å“em, bless â"š¬í‹Å“em in Heavenâ"š¬â"ž¢s name.
Onward Christian soldiers, just a dollar and a half
Buys a photo of Jesus with an autograph.
And Jesus was a-watching from the table by the door
When that rockinâ"š¬â"ž¢ chair grew silent and that shawl fell to the floor.
I walked out on that porch because I couldnâ"š¬í…"t find a prayer
When a kindly voice come a-cracklinâ"š¬â"ž¢ â"š¬í‹Å“cross the air.
Said, â"š¬í…"Folks, them righteous times are cominâ"š¬í…", I say, theyâ"š¬â"ž¢re cominâ"š¬â"ž¢ right on back.
You can hop that gospel train,â"š¬? he said, â"š¬í…"from both sides of the track.
Some people prayinâ"š¬â"ž¢, keep a-listeninâ"š¬â"ž¢, keep a-helpinâ"š¬â"ž¢ out the show,
â"š¬í‹Å“Cause olâ"š¬â"ž¢ Johnâ"š¬â"ž¢s with you anywhere you go.â"š¬?
Now some folks claim the Scriptures are the only living truth,
Others swear by Peter, Paul or Matthew, Mark or Luke,
Ah but there ainâ"š¬â"ž¢t a nicer passage just to sail a dream upon
Than the gospel accordinâ"š¬â"ž¢ to John.
He was just an old-time preacher but he answered mamaâ"š¬â"ž¢s call,
His words may never save a soul, but his faith could heal us all.
â"š¬í‹Å“Cause life's a sacred pilgrimage whatever trip youâ"š¬â"ž¢re on
And that's the gospel accordinâ"š¬í…" to John.
Recitation:
God bless you, John â"š¬" you olâ"š¬â"ž¢ devil ...