This one was prompted by my father-in-law. Every time I helped with branding, I heard him say this simple phrase that became the title to this poem. This last week, we helped with 42 calves. This time I had to wait till the end to hear it. As the last calf was branded, I heard the phrase, “That’ll Bring ‘Em Home”.
That’ll Bring ‘Em Home
The day was hot, the ground was parched; the dust rose in the air,
As we pushed the herd toward the corral and the work that was waitin’ there.
The older cows seemed unconcerned; they’d been this path before.
The younger steers seemed anxious-like and lookin for the door.
The calves were busy runnin’ round as if they had no care.
They had no idea what was comin’ or why the crew was there.
I think they started to wonder some as we sorted off their mothers.
And left ’em in a pen with just their sisters and their brothers.
The crew was ready; the iron hot, the knife was close at hand.
The boss man said, “Let’s get to work; the time has come to brand”.
One by one we put ’em down and quickly went to work.
Each man among us knew his job, and not a man would shirk.
The ear was notched, the shot was giv’n, the cuttin’ was all through.
The time was come to make the mark. A brand that’s clean and true.
The boss man watched his son approach the calf with ease and care.
The iron hot was firmly pressed upon the matted hair.
The iron burned down to the hide, the smoke was blowin’ free.
Whether I was at the front or back, it always came at me.
The boss man said with an approving nod, “No matter where they roam,
That brand is clear, that brand is clean, that’ll bring ’em home.
This reminds me of another time. A time that’s long ago.
Of another Boss who has a Son; the Bible tells us so.
God watched His Son approach a cross; He watched Him hangin’ there.
He watched Him groan in agony, and watched Him gasp for air.
The reason He was on that cross was pure, unselfish love.
He wanted us to be with Him, up in His home above.
When Jesus Christ died on that cross, He satisfied a need.
We were lost in sin, without a hope. We needed Him to lead.
You see, we’re like a bunch of strays wonderin’ round in sin.
Without His brand we’re doomed to an eternity without Him.
The brand of Jesus Christ alone is the only one that’ll do.
Just put your trust in him, and then He’ll put His mark on you.
That brand will tell where you belong; and what you ought to do.
For you belong to Him, and He belongs to you.
And the Father will say with approving nod, “No matter where you roam,
That brand is clear, that brand is clean; that’ll bring ’em home”.
So when the final round-up comes, and the gatherin’ is at hand,
When God begins the sortin’, He’s lookin’ for His brand.
And when He sees His mark on you, you’ll never, ever roam.
The Father will say, “The brand is clear, my child, Welcome Home”!
Tim Parish 9-15-04
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