Ol' Jasper was a cowboy
who got into a fix—
he tried ever’thing he knew
from his usual bag a tricks.

Ya see, he was a workin’
on that fence line, so I’m told,
when the wind began to howlin’,
blowin’ snow, an’ gettin’ cold.

He started out to walkin’
back to where he’d tied ol’ Buck,
knowin’ if he made it,
it would sure depend on luck.

Nothin’ seemed to help him,
an’ he then began ta yell
as the wind—it just got stronger,
a blowin’ up a gale.

He figured he was failin’
when his feet began to freeze,
an’ he found himself collapsin’,
endin’ up down on his knees.

Well, he commenced to prayin’,
beggin’ God to please forgive
all the sinnin’ an’ wrong doin’
in the life that he had lived.

He never heard no answer
as he fell back on his butt,
an’ he felt quite calm an’ mellow
when his eyes began to shut.

They found him in a snowdrift,
body frozen to the ground—
his friends had been a frettin’
when he didn’t show in town.

He thought he’d met his maker,
an’ had ask Him face to face
why He hadn’t chose to rescue him
an’ take him from that place.

God said, “I could have saved you
to live your life again,
but would you appreciate me
an’ give up your world of sin?”

Jasper hemmed an’ hawed a bit,
an’ kicked about a cloud—
he knew he couldn’t tell a lie
‘bout a past he wasn’t proud.

A funny thing then happened
as he opened up his eyes,
his pals was gathered ‘round him
sorta sayin’ their goodbyes.

Jasper rose up from his pillow,
an’ then he slowly said,
“Boy, that was a close one—
I thought that I was dead!”

It musta really scar’t him
‘cause he swore right then an’ there,
he’d go to church each Sunday
an’ live his life in prayer.

He’d stop all of his drinkin’,
an’ chasin’ gals around,
be forgivin’ an’ soft spoken,
an’ seek a Heavenly Crown.

He kept his promise from that day—
his soul was pure an’ tame,
knowin’ when he met his Maker
he’d greet Him without shame.

He became a country preacher—
on the circuit he did ride,
tellin’ folks about his meetin’
with the One he’d now abide.

Ya see, he had a mission
to complete what he’d begun—
testifyin’ an’ convertin’ folks
with the story of God’s Son.

Jasper never had no family
just his horse an’ old dog Tip,
an’ a Bible in his saddlebag
he took on every trip.

He never asked for nothin’,
got a handout now an’ then,
but I’m sure he stood the tallest
when God counted up good men.

He passed away last August—
he’s in Heaven now, I’d say,
forgiven his transgressions—
with the Angels he’ll now stay.

Tamara Hillman
©2003