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 them out on the trail that leads to Mexico.
When a norhtern started blowin' and lightnin' flashed about,
I thought someone was calling me I 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.
And 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 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 nearing, that death would be 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 and give.

My life was not yet over, I wasn't meant to die,
The dead ones formed a barricade, at least six or seven 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, 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.