Dolly Parton
John Daniel
[Verse 1]
John Daniel came to town one summer afternoon
Wearing dirty work clothes, so everyone presumed
He was just another logger from the logging camp nearby
And he was, but there was something different in John Daniel's eyes

[Verse 2]
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

[Chorus]
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?

[Verse 3]
I rented him a room, he went upstairs like all the rest
It was Saturday and he'd be going into 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
[Verse 4]
I'd planned to meet some friends of mine when I got off at three
In the park we often gathered 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 sitting on the ground

[Chorus]
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?

[Verse 5]
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 searching for the truth, not knowing where to look
Not knowing that the answers all were in John Daniel's book

[Verse 6]
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
[Chorus]
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?

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

[Verse 1]
John Daniel came to town one summer afternoon
Wearing dirty work clothes, so everyone presumed
He was just another logger from the logging camp nearby
And he was, but there was something different in John Daniel's eyes

[Chorus]
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?