(Kinky Friedman, Roger Friedman)
He was just an old-time preacher on the olâ time radio
But they never learn to listen till they lived enough to know.
I used to walk out on that porch when mamaâd turn the durn thing on
To the Gospel accordinâ 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 she was rockinâ all night long
To the Gospel accordinâ to John.
You see, she was a blind believer in Johnâs bible beatinâ game.
Heâd heal âem, wheel âem, deal âem, bless âem in Heavenâs 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 chair grew silent and that shawl fell to the floor.
I walked out on that porch because I couldnât find a prayer
When a kindly voice come a-cracklinâ âcross the air.
Said, âFolks, them righteous times are cominâ, I say, theyâre cominâ right on back.
You can hop that gospel train,â he said, âfrom both sides of the track.
Some people prayinâ, keep a-listeninâ, keep a-helpinâ out the show,
âCause olâ Johnâs with you anywhere you go.â
Now some folks claim the Scriptures are the only living truth,
Others swear by Peter, Paul or Matthew, Mark or Luke,
Ah but there ainât a nicer passage just to sail a dream upon
Than the gospel accordinâ to John.
He was just an old-time preacher but he answered mamaâs call,
His words may never save a soul, but his faith could heal us all.
âCause life's a sacred pilgrimage whatever trip youâre on
And that's the gospel accordinâ to John.
Recitation:
God bless you, John â you olâ devil ...
