About the song
Marty Robbins’s “The Master’s Call” is a poignant and reflective narrative song that showcases his storytelling prowess and deep connection to themes of faith and redemption. Written by Robbins himself, the song was released as part of his album “Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs” in 1959.
Marty Robbins, born in 1925 in Arizona, was a multifaceted artist known for his ability to blend country, western, and storytelling elements into his music. “The Master’s Call” stands out as a testament to his versatility and lyrical depth, offering listeners a compelling tale set against the backdrop of the American frontier.
The song follows the journey of a young cowboy who sets out on a reckless and dangerous trail, ignoring warnings and advice from others. As he faces peril and near-death experiences, he eventually finds himself in a moment of desperation where he calls upon the Master for guidance and salvation. The narrative unfolds with suspense and moral introspection, underscored by Robbins’s emotive vocals and the plaintive melody of acoustic guitars.
While “The Master’s Call” didn’t achieve the same commercial success as some of Robbins’s other hits, it remains a cherished piece among fans for its introspective lyrics and spiritual undertones. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to resonate with listeners on a deeper level, exploring themes of faith, repentance, and the consequences of one’s actions.
“Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs,” the album that included “The Master’s Call,” garnered widespread acclaim and became a landmark in Robbins’s career. It showcased his storytelling prowess and cemented his legacy as a masterful interpreter of the American West through music.
Marty Robbins’s contribution to country music through songs like “The Master’s Call” continues to be celebrated for its artistic merit and thematic richness. The song remains a poignant reminder of Robbins’s ability to transcend mere entertainment and offer listeners profound insights into the human experience.
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Lyrics
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 living 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
But 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 20 yards from me
And left there was a giant cross where once there was a tree
And 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 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 or give
A miracle performed that night, I wasn’t meant to die
The dead ones formed a barricade, ‘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