MASTER'S CALL, THE
(Marty Robbins)
Marty Robbins
recorded 1959
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 livin' 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 then out on the trail that leads to Mexico,
But a norther started blowin' and lightnin' flashed about,
I thought someone was callin' me, I thought I heard a shout!
Then at that moment lightnin' 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 preformed that night, I wasn't meant to die,
The dead ones formed a barricade nearly six or seven high!
Right behind it there was I, afraid but safe and sound,
I cried in vain for mercy, kneelin' 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!
(Transcribed by Peter Akers - September 2020)
