The Gospel According To Luke

Skip Ewing

He was an old hand at living and making his way.

He smelled like old whiskey and he needed a shave.

His home was an alley of eighth avenue,

But 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 old dirty rag.

He'd tell you straight out just the way he believed,

“Faith in the Good Lord is all that you need.

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.

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 who felt out of place

When he folded his hands, bowed his head and said grace.

A week ago Wednesday I saw him again

Downtown at the Mission surrounded by friends

Passing out all the change he'd collected that week

Saying, “You boys might need this a lot more than me.

I try hard to practice the words that I preach.

Give to your brother his he is in need.

Offer up thanks for the gifts you receive.

There's treasure in heave for the generous few.”

That was the Gospel according to Luke.

He was an old hand at living and making his way.

He smelled like old whiskey and he needed a shave.

His home was an alley of eighth avenue,

But if you had a minute, or an hour or two,

He'd tell you the Gospel according to Luke.