(kinky friedman, roger friedman)
He was just an old-time preacher on the ol' time radio
But they never learn to listen till they lived enough to know.
I used to walk out on that porch when mama'd turn the durn thing on
To the gospel accordin' 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
To the gospel accordin' to john.
You see, she was a blind believer in john's bible beatin' game.
He'd heal
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 rockin' chair grew silent and that shawl fell to the floor.
I walked out on that porch because i couldn
When a kindly voice come a-cracklin'
Said,
You can hop that gospel train,
Some people prayin', keep a-listenin', keep a-helpin' out the show,
Now some folks claim the scriptures are the only living truth,
Others swear by peter, paul or matthew, mark or luke,
Ah but there ain't a nicer pa**age just to sail a dream upon
Than the gospel accordin' to john.
He was just an old-time preacher but he answered mama's call,
His words may never save a soul, but his faith could heal us all.
And that's the gospel accordin
Recitation:
God bless you, john