I have heard this song done by several groups; it's a complex weaving of three or four lines, and the assignation of lines to voice part varies considerably from group to group. That's a reason definitive sheet music of this piece is problemmatic.

Here is a good history of the song, along with a description of which lines were assigned to which voice on the recording by Ralph Stanley et al.:

From the liner notes to Hills & Home: Thirty Years of Bluegrass (New World Records 225)
http://www.newworldrecords.org/linernotes/80225.pdf:


Daniel Prayed
(Ralph Stanley)

The Stanley Brothers and the Clinch Mountain Boys: Carter Stanley, lead vocal and rhythm guitar; Bill Napier (prob.), baritone vocal and mandolin; Ralph Stanley, tenor vocal and banjo; Al Eliot, bass; Ralph Mayo (prob.), bass vocal. Recorded February 10, 1959, in
Cincinnati. Originally issued on King LP 645.

The Stanley Brothers recorded more religious songs than most of the major bluegrass bands. Bluegrass gospel performances stress harmony singing and minimize the role of
lead instruments. The vocal quartet on this recording features an intricate call-response pattern, especially in the chorus where the baritone voice takes the lead. The song was
written by G.T. Speer of the popular gospel music group the Speer Family. Lead singer Carter Stanley died in 1966; his brother Ralph has maintained much of their sound in
his band, while also emphasizing the old-time mountain songs from their repertory.

I heard about a man one day (lead)
Who wasted not his time away. (lead)
He prayed to God, (lead)
He prayed to God (tenor, baritone, bass)
Every morning, noon, and night. (quartet)
He cared not for the things avail, (lead)
Trusted one who never fails. (lead)
Oh, Daniel prayed, (lead)
Oh, Daniel prayed (tenor, baritone, bass)
Every morning, noon, and night.

Chorus:
Oh, Daniel served the living God, (baritone)
Daniel served. (tenor, lead, bass)
While here upon this earth he trod, (baritone)
Here he trod. (tenor, lead, bass)
He prayed to God, (lead)
He prayed to God (tenor, baritone, bass)
Every morning, noon, and night. (quartet)
He cared not for the king's decree. (baritone)
Cared not for. (tenor, lead, bass)
But trusted God to set him free. (baritone)
King's decree. (tenor, lead, bass)
Oh, Daniel prayed, (lead)
Oh, Daniel prayed (tenor, baritone, bass)
Every morning, noon, and night. (quartet)

They cast him in that lion's den,
Because he would not honor men.
But he prayed to God,
He prayed to God
Every morning, noon, and night.
The jaws were locked, it made him about.
God soon brought him safely out.
Oh, Daniel prayed,
Oh, Daniel prayed
Every morning, noon, and night.

(Chorus)

Now brother, let us watch and pray;
Like Daniel live from day to day.
He prayed to God,
He prayed to God
Every morning, noon, and night.
We too can gladly dare and do
Things of God, he'll take us through.
Oh, Daniel prayed,
Oh, Daniel prayed
Every morning, noon, and night.

(Chorus)

© Copyright A 312668 La-Car Publishing
Company. Used by Permission.




--Charlie Baum