(Dolly Parton)



John Daniel came to town one summer afternoon

Wearin' dirty work clothes so everyone presumed

He was just another logger from the loggin' camp nearby

And he was, but there was somethin' different in John Daniel's eyes



John Daniel was a young man, not more than twenty-four

And there was an air about him that one could not ignore

And in spite of callused hands & dirty clothes, his face was kind

And I wanted so to know what was in John Daniel's mind



John Daniel, tell me where did you come from; tell me where is it you've been

John Daniel, tell me why are you different from all of these other men

John Daniel, there's somethin' about you that I don't quite understand

John Daniel, do you hold the answer to a higher plan?



I rented him a room; he went upstairs like all the rest

It was Saturday and he'd be goin' in to town, I guessed

But he left in a robe and sandals, with a Bible in his hand;

And I thought to myself, John Daniel, I don't understand



Now I'd planned to meet some friends of mine when I got off at three,

In the park we often gather to talk of love and peace

When I got there I found that a crowd had gathered 'round;

And there I saw John Daniel a sittin' on the ground



John Daniel, tell me where did you come from; tell me where is it you've been

John Daniel, tell me why are you different from all of these other men

John Daniel, there's somethin' about you that I don't quite understand

John Daniel, do you hold the answer to a higher plan?



So, "You want to be free," he said, "Well, this is how you can."

As he read from the Bible he held in his hand

We were searchin' for the truth not knowin' where to look,

Not knowin' that the answers all were in John Daniel's book



John Daniel told us all how we could be free

John Daniel taught us all a better way for you and me

He came to us in our own way so we'd be sure to see

He had the light and essence of the man from Galilee



John Daniel, tell me where did you come from; tell me where is it you've been

John Daniel, tell me why are you different from all of these other men

John Daniel, there's something about you that I don't quite understand

John Daniel, do you hold the answer to a higher plan?



John Daniel, John Daniel, John Daniel

John Daniel do you hold the answer to a higher plan?

John Daniel came to town one summer afternoon

Wearin' dirty work clothes so everyone presumed

He was just another logger from the loggin' camp nearby

And he was, but there was somethin' different in John Daniel's eyes

Ooh, John Daniel, tell me where did you come from

Tell me where is it you've been

John Daniel, tell me why are you different from all of these other men

John Daniel, there's something about you that I don't quite understand

John Daniel, do you hold the answer to a higher plan?