Thanks guys - this has been bugging me for years and, with your responses, I can now lay it to rest.

The Banjoest - I haven't been able to find out, from the web, whether Charlie Daniels is given credit for writing or arranging the song or whether he gives credit to Benet. Did Mr McEuen seem a little bit peeved with Charlie Daniels at all?

GUEST - thanks for the lead to Benet's poem. I was not aware of it.

Bee-dubya-ell - I love this line from Pastor Karrls:

"After many years of frustration, he eats the lute and dies."

Thanks again.

Allan