James Wicks Was A Bandsman
From Sawiki
James Wicks was a bandsman; not a bad sort of chap;
And was doing quite well, till he had a mishap.
He thought himself strong, a most stupid mistake,
And wanted most sorely, a "big name" to make.
He looked at himself in the mirror with pride,
"You resign from the band tomorrow," he sighed;
But after tomorrow the fun would begin.
Then he said to himself, "You're too staid to sin;
Some chaps may have fallen, but that you wont do,
For after all, Jimmy, they're not good like you!
Well, James left the band, and the Army as well,
When he started in business to become quite a swell.
He cheated a little, and other things did
That were not quite in keeping; of course he backslid.
But he argued like this; "Well James you've got on,
You're honest, you're sober; in fact you're tres bon."
He took and spent freely what wasn't his cash,
He heavily gambled - and then came the crash.
Then he thought of his debts, and then with a groan
He thought of the past, and again he did moan;
"Oh, to be happy, contented again!
Oh, to be living for God and not gain!"
He sold up his business, and his mansion in town,
He squared up his debts, and then cried, with a frown;
"I've lost money and honour, my business and name,
Say, Jimmy, my lad, you're entirely to blame.
Why didn't you stay in the old Army band?
You were happy, quite happy, although you weren't grand;
But you've fooled with your life, and your chances you've lost,
You've strove to win fame, but what has it cost?
Now you've lost all your money, and you've not got a friend;
Bid adeiu to this world, and your wretched life end!
James was tired of his life, but was frightened of death,
And there's always a hope while a man has a breath;
He caught strains of music. It was lovely and clear.
'Twas a band playing a hymn tune of courage and cheer.
The tune bought back memories of God and His love,
Of power and assistance that came from above.
James prayed, "Oh God save me! Forgive all the past
And into the sea of forgetfulness cast
All my faults and my failings. Oh, God, make me new!
Make me a soldier who will fight and be true."
God heard, and answered the prayer of that soul;
"I freely will pardon, be thou fully whole."
Now James plays a cornet again in the band;
He's doing quite well and his testimony's grand;
"I sinned, and God pardoned and cleansed my poor soul,
Won't you come to Christ and be made fully whole?"
Captain Reta C. Stickland
