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 that
their only son 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 living 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 led them down the trail
that leads to Mexico
When a norther started blowing,
and lightning flashed above
I thought someone was calling me,
thought I heard a shout
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 heard a voice,
a voice so sweet and plain
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 the 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 death would be the price
When a mighty bolt of lightning
showed the face of Jesus Christ.
I cried "oh Lord forgive me, don't let it happen now,
I want to live for you along, God these words I vow."
My wicked life unfolded and I thought of wasted years when an
other bolt of lightning killed a hundred head of steers.
The others rushed on by me,
and I was left to live.
The master had a reason life
was his to take or give.
A miracle performed that night I
was n't meant to die.
The dead ones formed a barricade
least six or seven high
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