These lyrics were written to accompany the tune known as "The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night," a traditional song that's been covered (and covered and covered...) by dozens of musicians and bands.

John Murray sailed on the Hand in Hand
And his ship got stuck on a bar of sand
So he put on his boots and he reached dry land
To preach the gospel of love (love, love)
He put on his boots and he reached dry land to preach the gospel of love!

Now Thomas Potter had a church built there
But still that church was bleak and bare
‘Cause no preacher had come, despite his prayer,
To preach the gospel of love (love, love)
No preacher had come, despite his prayer, to preach the gospel of love!

Thomas Potter offered hospitality
So John Murray wouldn’t go back to sea
He said, “Man, won’t you come and preach for me,
Yeah preach the gospel of love (love, love)
Won’t you come and preach for me, yeah preach the gospel of love!

John said the winds of change blow hard and strong
And I don’t think I’m gonna be here that long
But if I’m here on Sunday I’ll come out strong,
And preach the gospel of love (love, love)
If I’m here on Sunday I’ll come out strong, and preach the gospel of love!

So the Hand in Hand stayed close by the shore
And John Murray couldn’t run away no more,
Thomas Potter’s chapel flung wide the doors
As they preached the gospel of love (love, love)
Thomas Potter’s chapel flung wide the doors as they preached the gospel of love!