About The Song
“The Master’s Call” is a gospel-western song written and recorded by Marty Robbins and released in 1963. The song appeared on his album My Kind of Country, issued by Columbia Records. Unlike many of Robbins’s well-known gunfighter ballads or country-pop hits, “The Master’s Call” stands out as a faith-centered narrative that reflects his interest in spiritual themes alongside traditional Western storytelling.
By the early 1960s, Marty Robbins had already secured a strong reputation as one of country music’s most versatile artists. He was equally comfortable recording romantic ballads, western epics, and mainstream radio singles. During this period, Robbins also devoted part of his recording output to gospel and inspirational material. “The Master’s Call” fits within that strand of his work, blending religious content with the dramatic structure of a western-style narrative.
Lyrically, the song tells the story of a hardened, worldly man who encounters a life-altering spiritual moment. The narrator describes a sudden confrontation with divine authority—“the Master’s call”—that interrupts his former way of life and leads to repentance and transformation. The song unfolds as a moral parable, using clear, direct language rather than symbolism-heavy imagery. The narrative structure resembles a short sermon set within a western setting, making the message accessible and immediate.
Musically, “The Master’s Call” is arranged in a restrained, solemn style. Acoustic guitar, subtle rhythm, and gentle instrumental accents support Robbins’s vocal without overpowering it. The pacing is deliberate, allowing the story to unfold clearly. The production avoids dramatic flourishes, reinforcing the seriousness of the song’s spiritual message and keeping attention on the lyric.
Marty Robbins’s vocal performance is measured and reverent. He delivers the lyric with calm authority, allowing the story’s moral weight to emerge naturally. Rather than emphasizing emotion through vocal intensity, Robbins relies on phrasing and tone to convey conviction. This understated approach aligns with his broader style in narrative and gospel recordings, where clarity and credibility are prioritized.
Although “The Master’s Call” was not released as a major commercial single, it became a meaningful part of Robbins’s catalog and was well received by listeners who appreciated his gospel-oriented work. The song was later included on compilation albums and gospel collections, helping it reach audiences beyond its original album context. It has also been covered by other artists in country and gospel traditions, further extending its life.
In retrospect, “The Master’s Call” is often regarded as one of Marty Robbins’s most respected inspirational recordings. It illustrates his ability to merge western storytelling with religious themes while maintaining musical restraint and narrative clarity. While less widely known than his chart-topping hits, the song remains an important example of Robbins’s depth as a songwriter and interpreter, highlighting a spiritual dimension that complemented his broader contributions to country music.
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Lyric
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