Simon Peter

Peter

In the land of old when tales were told,
Of a Messiah who was to come,
There lived a man with a heart of gold,
Who was looking for this balm.

His name was Simon called Peter,
And he was casting a net one day,
When Jesus came and seemed to infer
That He was the truth and the way.

So Peter turned and said to his brother,
I don’t understand all He means,
But if you stay, you can find another,
Cause I think He’s more than He seems.

So, I’m going to leave the fish
And follow him wherever He may lead;
You, too, may follow, whatever you wish,
But I believe He can fill your need.

So Peter followed all over the land,
He even walked on the deep blue sea,
His trek was from Beersheba to Dan,
He said he was ready to die if need be.

Peter was just a rough-hewn old salt,
Fishing was all he ever knew,
His many mistakes were not his fault,
Because as a disciple, he was brand new.

Then when the bottom fell out of life,
And his master was hung on a cross,
As if his heart was pierced with a knife,
And he thought his life was all a loss.

My life I’ve ruined by cowardice,
I’m not fit to serve my Lord,
For I’ve denied, not once but thrice,
And now I must live with my reward.

Boys, he said, I’m going fishing again,
And I don’t know when I’ll return,
Who wants to go, I’ll take every man,
Where we can work and wages we can earn.

The trip was fruitless for all who went,
They toiled and fished all night,
And when the moon it’s time has spent,
And the sun began its daily flight.

There strolled a figure along the shore,
And He called to the men in the boat,
Cast out your nets, cast them once more,
And Peter reached to put on his coat.

For they could see in the light of early dawn,
This was not a stranger to them at all,
But He’s the one, that precious cornerstone,
And again Peter heard the Lord’s call.

Do you love me, Peter, more than all these?
You know I do, he said as he looked around,
Then tend my lambs, and leave the seas,
And you shall wear a crown.

Jim Booth.............February 2003