Lyrics:

1988
Skip Ewing, Don Sampson

He was an old hand at livin' and makin' his way
He smelled like old whiskey and he needed a shave
His home was an alley off 8th Avenue
And if you had a minute or an hour or two
He'd tell you the gospel according to Luke

Luke carried his bible in a Crown Royal bag
He wiped off his brow with an ol' dirty rag
He'd tell you straight out just the way he believed
Faith in the good Lord is all that you need
I remember the morning he first preached to me

He said, 'Give to your brother if he is in need.
Offer up thanks for the gifts you receive.
There's treasure in heaven for the generous few.'
That was the gospel according to Luke

So I bought him breakfast at the Daylight Cafe
Biscuits and gravy, hot coffee, and eggs
He was hungry and ragged, hadn't eaten in days
But I was the one there that felt out of place
He folded his hands, bowed his head and said grace

A week ago Wednesday I saw him again
Down town at the mission surrounded by friends
Handin' out all the change he'd collected that week
Sayin', 'You boys might need this a lot more than me.
I try hard to practice the words that I preach.'

'Give to your brother if he is in need.
Offer up thanks for the gifts you receive.
There's treasure in heaven for the generous few.'
That was the gospel according to Luke

He was an old hand at livin' and makin' his way
He smelled like old whiskey and he needed a shave
His home was an alley off 8th Avenue
And if you had a minute or an hour or two
He'd tell you the gospel according to Luke