The Master's Call lyrics

When I was but a young man

I was wild and full of fire,

A youth within my teens,

but full of challenge and desire;

I ran away from home

and left my mother and my dad,

I know it grieved them so

to think their only boy was bad.

I fell in with an outlaw band,

their names were known quite well,

How many times

we robbed and plundered,

I could never tell;

This kind of sinful living

leads only to a fall,

I learned that much and more

the night I heard my Master call.

One night we rustled cattle,

a thousand head or so

And started them out on the trail

that leads to Mexico,

But a norther started blowing

and lightning flashed about,

I thought someone was calling me,

I thought I heard a shout.

Then at that moment lightning struck,

not twenty yards from me

And left there was a giant cross

where once there was a tree,

And this time I knew I heard a voice,

a voice so sweet and strange,

A voice that came from everywhere,

a voice that called my name.

So frightened I was thinking

of sinful deeds I'd done,

I failed to see the thousand head

of cattle start to run;

The cattle they stampeded,

were running all around,

My pony ran but stumbled

and it threw me to the ground.

I felt the end was near,

that death would be the price

When a mighty bolt of lightning

showed the face of Jesus Christ;

And I cried oh Lord forgive me,

don't let it happen now,

I want to live for you alone,

oh God these words I vow.

My wicked past unfolded,

I thought of wasted years

When another bolt of lightning

killed a hundred head of steers

And the others rushed on by me

and I was left to live,

The Master had a reason,

life is his to take or give.

A miracle performed that night,

I wasn't meant to die,

The dead ones formed a barricade

least six or seven high,

And right behind it there was I,

afraid but safe and sound,

I cried and begged for mercy

kneeling there upon the ground.

A pardon I was granted,

my sinful soul set free,

No more to fear the angry waves

upon life's stormy sea,

Forgiven by the love of God,

a love that will remain,

I gave my life and soul the night

the Saviour called my name...