Little John

He rode straight in the saddle, about 5' 9″ tall,
Not a great big man but a friend to all
With his big black hat and his bible in his hand,
He went North and South in this war torn land, John.
He sat atop a fine black mare,
Took that horse most everywhere.
Near 30, 000 miles is what I’ve heard,
Visiting the sick, preaching the word.
Little John.
John, John Kline
John Kline was a farmer, lived right around here
On a farm in Broadway. He made it clear
that he loved Anna Wampler who became his wife.
Together they built a pretty fine life.
John.
John Kline was a writer and a preacher too.
He learned about medicine and what to do
when folks got sick.
Little John
John, John Kline
He preached at funerals, started new congregations,
Planted new churches, spreading the Word.
He was against the war and wrote letters to say,
We are the Brethren and we don’t think that way.
John.
John loved all men, no matter their size.
It hurt is heart when any soldier died.
But there were some folks who couldn’t understand why,
So they started saying John Kline’s a spy.
John.
John, John Kline
There were some people who hated John Kline.
They wanted him to die before his time.
They waited one day with a gun and a knife.
And when John Kline rode by, they took his life.
John.
John fell from the saddle like a mighty oak.
He hit the ground midst fire and smoke.
For miles around it was understood,
That the man who died was mighty good.
John.
John, John Kline
Now the story of John Kline spread far and wide.
So it’s not for nothin' the little man died.
And we’re singing this song so you can understand,
That little John Kline was a Great… Big… Man
John, John Kline
John, John Kline.