D Bm
When I was but a young man,I was wild and full of fire
D Bm
A youth within my teens, but full of challenge and desire
D Bm
I ran away from home and left my mother and my dad
G A Bm
I know it grieved them so to think their only boy went bad
D Bm
I fell in with an outlaw band, their names were known quite well
D Bm
How many times we robbed and plundered, I could never tell
D Bm
This kind of sinful living, leads only to a fall
G A Bm
I learned that much and more the night I heard my Master's call
G D G D
One night we rustled cattle, a thousand head or so
G D Bm
And started then out on the trail that leads to Mexico
G A D G
When a norther started blowing and lightning flashed about
D G A D
I thought someone was calling me, I thought I heard a shout
D F#m
Then at that moment lightning struck not twenty yards from me
G D
And left there was a giant cross where once there was a tree
Bm Em
This time I knew I heard a voice, a voice so sweet and strange
F#m Bm
A voice that came from everywhere, a voice that called my name
D Bm
So frightened I was thinking of sinful deeds I'd done
D Bm
I failed to see the thousand head of cattle start to run
D Bm
The cattle they stampeded, were running all around
G A Bm
My pony ran but stumbled and it threw me to the ground
G D G D
I felt the end was near, that death would be the price
G D Bm
When another bolt of lightning showed the face of Jesus Christ
G A D G
And I cried oh Lord forgive me, don't let it happen now
D G A D
I want to live for you alone, Oh God these words I vow
D F#m
My wicked past unfolded and I thought of wasted years
G D
When another bolt of lightning killed a hundred head of steers
Bm Em
And the others rushed on by me and I was left to live
F#m Bm
The Master had a reason,life is his to take or give
D Bm
A miracle performed that night, I wasn't meant to die
D Bm
The dead ones formed a barricade nearly six or seven high
D Bm
And right behind it there was I, afraid but safe and sound
G A Bm
I cried in vain for mercy kneeling there upon the ground
D Bm
A pardon I was granted, my sinful soul set free
D Bm
No more to fear the angry waves upon life's stormy seas
D Bm
Forgiven by the love of God, a love that will remain
G A Bm
I learned that much and more the night the Saviour called my name