Writer 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?