new life

I looked over my shoulder To see from where I’ve come A street kid getting older Far from home I’ve run With dirty hands and dirty face People looked upon me with disgrace Appalled, disgusted, they walked on Counting lost this broken son Confused and forgotten on I went Everywhere away I’m sent Ashamed I looked at what I’ve become And down my face a tear had come I lifted my head to a passer by Who looked at me straight in the eye Of love and mercy He did shine He took my hand and said “Hold on to mine” He took me home and I was fed A brand-new outfit did I get, Clean and soft, never been worn He cleaned me up and put it on. Oh, how splendid did it feel When the mirror shone back a new appeal A brand-new person was standing there No unchanged part, not a single hair. He took away the rags I wore And armoured me ready for war Wearing on me all that is right And a shield to guard me in the fight. The old rags in which I came Never did I see again He took this street boy which I was And made my life brand-new at last Forever now I will live on Because what I was, now is gone He took the old and threw it away Now He makes me new, day by day His commands I’ll carry out To tell the world what He’s about His words and love I’ll stand upon It will be my strength to carry on.