About the song
“The Master’s Call” by Marty Robbins is a poignant country ballad that delves into themes of redemption and faith. Featured on Robbins’ album “Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs,” released in 1959, the song stands out for its powerful storytelling and emotive delivery.
Written by the versatile Marty Robbins himself, “The Master’s Call” narrates the journey of a cowboy who finds himself in a moment of reckoning while riding alone on a mountain trail. Confronted by a voice from above, the cowboy is compelled to heed the call of his maker and seek forgiveness for his sins.
Though not as widely recognized as some of Robbins’ other hits, “The Master’s Call” received critical acclaim for its depth of emotion and introspective lyrics. Its spiritual undertones and Robbins’ heartfelt performance resonate with listeners, offering a glimpse into the struggles of the human soul.
While “The Master’s Call” may not have achieved the same commercial success as other tracks on the album, its impact lies in its ability to touch the hearts of those who hear it. Its inclusion on “Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs” further solidified Marty Robbins’ reputation as a master storyteller in the country music genre.
Despite its modest chart performance, “The Master’s Call” remains a cherished gem in Marty Robbins’ discography, revered for its sincerity and authenticity. With its timeless message of repentance and redemption, the song continues to inspire listeners, reminding them of the power of faith and the possibility of transformation.
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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