As I chanced to pass I heard a voice
 Blaspheme God's name in an angry way,
The words brought back my evil past
 And I quickly turned away!

I heard a man spew out a bare faced lie
 I felt a tingling of disgrace,
Memories from my youthful past
 Brought crimson to my face!

Hateful words I heard exchanged
 They cut me through and through,
I recalled when I used such words
 Like so many others do!

I saw men filled with foolish pride
 It brought back memories of my past,
Though the sin has been long forgiven;
 Seems the memories last and last!

As the memories flashed before my eyes
 They brought back my sad past to me,
For I saw in them;
 Many of the things I use to be!

Today my heart's much lighter
 Since I cast my many sins on Him,
When Jesus took away my sin debt,
 He also took away my carnal will to sin!

I'm no longer Satan's slave
 That he can lead my life astray,
I'm free of all those burdens
 Since Jesus took them all away!
 

                                             Carl L. Hempen, 1979