Shoeshine Johnny’s just doing time, setting up shop at the five and dime,
Seen a whole lot of miles, got a few more to go,
Everyone says he’s a humble man, tell ya ‘bout life like no one can,
With a wink and a smile he’d let ya know, whoa.
All kinda people come from miles around, just to hear Johnny tell his stories,
Talk about the days gone by, talking ‘bout future glory,
‘Round, ‘round, ‘round he goes,
tell you how the good Lord knows,
He’d be shining most every day,
Sit right down, listen what he say.
Some like to play with fire, but there’s a love that’s higher,
And you know the Lord’s been good to me for sure,
Hard times can come and go, but one thing for sure I know:
When I die, the richest man I’ll be,
Oh Lord, I know.
Well, looking back I remember the times: laughing and a-joking and a feeling fine,
Old Johnny pick you up when you’re feeling low,
His words hand on in my memory, the dusty old book that he read to me,
Even now I’m grown, they speak to me.
What gains a man to win the world, but lose his very soul?
Riches of the promised land much better than silver and gold,
Oh, how wise is he that makes the Lord his company,
Fearless of the days to come, knowing that the battle’s won.
Some like to play with fire, but there’s a love that’s higher,
And you know the Lord’s been good to me for sure,
Hard times can come and go, one thing for sure I know:
When I die, the richest man I’m gonna be – this I know,
Oh Lord, I know.
“Listen son,” he said to me, “Jesus died to set us free,
You’re old enough; it’s time to chose,
With the Lord you’ll never lose, beat them everlasting blues.”
Oh, I still hear him,
I hear old Johnny say…
Some like to play with fire; now I know a love that’s higher,
And I know the Lord’s been good to me for sure,
Hard times may come and go, one thing for sure I know:
When I die, the richest man I’ll be,
Some like to play with fire, but there’s a love that’s higher,
And you know the Lord’s been good to me for sure,
Hard times can come and go, one thing for sure I know:
When I die, the richest man I’ll be,
Some like to play with fire.
