Chant of the Night Songs
When days work is over and suppertime's gone
I'll tell you a story of the night riders song
That long lonesome whistle and the tunes with no words
It's the chant of the night songs we sang round the herd
Spoken words
Cattle on the bed ground and I hope that they'll stay
Till we're back on the trail at the breakin' of day
But until dawn I hope that they'll sleep
Rest easy weary cattle to the cowboys melody
Spoken words
My trusty little night horse he's gentle and smart
And he's heard my songs so much he knows em by heart
The creak of the saddle a loose bridle rein
With his hooves keepin' time to poor Liza Jane
Spoken words
Got to keep the herd settled don't want no stampede
Two thousand runnin' steers is what I don't need
'Cause lightning and longhorns ain't no kind of game
It's sure hell for leather through the thunder and rain
Spoken words
Master's Call
When I was but a young man, 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
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'd robbed and plundered, I could never tell
This kind of sinful livin' will lead 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
When a norther started blowin' and lightnin' flashed about
I thought someone was calling me, 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
This time I knew a 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 the sinful deeds I'd done
I failed to see a thousand head of cattle start to run
The cattle they stampeded and were running all around
My pony ran but stumbled and threw me to the ground
I felt the end was nearing, that d**h would be the price
When a mighty bolt of lightning showed the face of Jesus Christ
Then I cried, "Oh Lord, forgive me, don't let it happen now
I want to live for You alone, God these words I vow"
My wicked past unfolded and I thought of wasted years
When another bolt of lightning k**ed 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 and give
A miracle performed that night, I wasn't meant to die
The dead ones formed a barricade least 6 or 7 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 and 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 Savior called my name
I gave my life and soul the night the Savior called my name