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