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

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 was all that ya need

I remember the mornin' he first preached to me

[CHORUS:]

He said give to your brother is 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

[lead break]

A week ago Wednesday, I saw him again

Downtown 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

[CHORUS:]

Give 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

5. 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

If you had a minute or an hour or two

He'd tell you the Gospel according to Luke