We drove the cattle hard that day,
And night was fallin’ fast…
We found a spot to set up camp,
And rest a spell at last…
Cookie put on the coffee pot
And stirred us up some chow.
I laid back on my saddle,
My hat across my brow.
Weren’t long until I heard my name,
“Jim!...night herd, it’s yore turn!”
I saddled up and rode on out
To be company for the herd.
The stars were shining in the sky;
The herd was quiet and still.
I rolled a smoke, then lit a match,
As I stood guard upon that hill.
Sometime t’ward the mornin’
I saw a real strange thing…
The sky lit up toward the east
Like nothin’ I ain’t seen.
I thought at first it was the sun
Creepin’ up above the rise…
But soon I knew was somethin’ else;
I blinked and rubbed my eyes.
The brightest light I ever saw
Filled up the whole blame sky.
I thought the herd would spook for shore,
But they never blinked an eye!
As quick as it came, it faded out
Then I saw the light of day,
Come creepin’ out of darkness
And I heard somebody say,
“He is risen…and for you cowboy,
He lives to set you free.
He wants to ride night herd with you
And keep you company.”
“Jim”, I heard my name just then.
“Coffees hot, Come on, its ready!”
I struggled to stop my shakin’ hands
I strained my legs to steady.
I must a dreamed it, fell asleep,
There’s no way it could be real.
I grabbed some grub and saddled up,
And we headed east out of those hills.
About an hour onto the trail,
I spotted up on a hill,
A cross that stood alone up high,
Now, I knew that this was real!
I heard the voice again just then,
“Jim, my Bloods for you.
There’s nothin’ Jim that you can do
To make Me stop lovin’ you!”
Down my face the tears began
To roll..why, it’d been years,
Since this old cowboy ever thought
He could even cry a tear!
I left the herd and rode alone,
Found me a spot to pray.
I gave my heart to the Voice I heard
On that special Easter Day.
I’ll never forget what He said to me
And now I say to you.
“Cowboy, He rose and He is near
His Blood was shed for you!”
It takes a man to let Him in
And He will always ride,
Night herd with you there cowboy,
He ain’t about to leave yore side.
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