The Master's Call - Butch Hammons

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

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

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 another 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 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 reasonlife is his to take or give

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