Michael Martin Murphey - Master's Call lyrics

[Verse 1] 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 went 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's call [Verse 2] One night we rustled cattle, a thousand head or so And started then out on the trail that leads to Mexico When 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 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 [Verse 3] 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, were running all around My pony ran but stumbled and it threw me to the ground I felt the end was near, that d**h 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 and I thought of wasted years When a might 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 or give [Verse 4] A miracle performed that night, I wasn't meant to die The dead ones formed a barricade nearly six or seven high And right behind it there was I, afraid but safe and sound I cried in vain 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 seas Forgiven by the love of God, a love that will remain I learned that much and more the night the Saviour called my name