Lyr Req: Friend of Jesus (John Stewart)

Subject: Need lyrics
From: GUEST,Phil N.
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 10:03 PM

Hope you can help: Hard to believe that I can't seem to find the lyrics to this song - since I hear it on the radio all the time! I've googled and mudcatted to no avail . .obviously with wrong title,artist, or writer. I thought it was called " Jesus, in his time" - at least, that's what I would have called it, had I been clever enough to have written it. It sounds like the artist is Glenn Yarborough or a sound-alike - and, some-how, I have in my mind that it was written by somebody like the late Shel Silverstein.
The chorus hook is " I do believe I'd of been a friend - of Jesus in his time" and the last chorus is a huge energy
" Dear God - A'mighty, my darlin' Jesus, you are a friend of mine"
I just know this one has got to be a no brainer - but darned if I can find it!
Thanks
Phil

Subject: RE: Need lyrics - darlin' jesus
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 11:37 PM

Oh, this is going to bug me. It just HAS to be Glenn Yarbrough. Then again, it could have been John Stewart...
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Need lyrics - darlin' jesus (Friend of Jesus)
From: Peace
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 11:49 PM

I am pretty sure it's John Stewart.

Subject: Lyr Add: FRIEND OF JESUS (John Stewart)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 11:49 PM

Hey, this ain't so bad! I was right on both counts. The song is "Friend of Jesus," written by John Stewart. Here's my by-ear transcription from the Joy Across the Land CD by Glenn Yarbrough & the Limeliters:

Friend of Jesus
(John Stewart)

Jesus was a friend of John, mmm-mmm-mmm
Jesus was a friend of Paul, mmm-mmm-mmm
He was a friend of Matthew, James, John down the line.
I do believe I'd been a friend of Jesus in his time.

Jesus walked the streets at night, mmm-mmm-mmm
Jesus, he didn't need no light, mmm-mmm-mmm
Jesus walked with the harlot; and he ran with the hoodlum kind.
I do believe I'd been a friend of Jesus in his time.

Jesus ran with the hard-line gang, mmm-mmm-mmm
Jesus knew the songs they sang, mmm-mmm-mmm
He didn't have no money; they say he didn't have a dime.
I do believe I'd been a friend of Jesus in his time.

Good God Almighty, my darlin' Jesus,
You are a friend of mine.
Come on along, we'll sing another song
Of Jesus in his time.

They caught him in the yard - the National Guard,
Jesus, he was crucified.
Open up the door, he's seen it all before.
Jesus, he is on your side.

Good God Almighty, my darlin' Jesus,
You are a friend of mine.
Good God Almighty, my darlin' Jesus,
You are a friend of mine.

Subject: RE: Need lyrics - darlin' jesus (Friend of Jesus)
From: GUEST,Phil Nuytten
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 12:24 AM

To: Joe Offer
Dear Joe - Thank you so much, you are a brain-cell saver! I never would have thought of 'Friend of Jesus' since that phrase doesn't appear anywhere in the song. You all know what it's like when you get partial lyrics stuck in your head and have to splutter to a stop when you come to the end of the lines you remember. This is kind of an odd one, also, since the lyrics indicate that it is a straight gospel/worship piece, but the arrangement and presentation are both very pop/folk!
Very nice of you to take the time.
Regards
Phil Nuytten

Subject: RE: Need lyrics - darlin' jesus (Friend of Jesus)
From: GUEST,/Phil Nuytten
Date: 29 Apr 05 - 12:54 AM

Arrghhh. I believe I said the 'that phrase doesn't appear anywhere in the song' - and, of course, it doesn't appear 'anywhere', it appears 'everywhere'!! In weak defense, there's a slight emphasis break between 'friend' and 'of Jesus in his time', in the version I remember, so it almost sings like two phrases . .(yeah, I know, pretty weak)
Thanks to your memory, though, I was able to locate 'Joy across the Land' 1993 GNP/Cresendo Records #GNPD 2219.
Regards
Phil Nuytten