Ballad of the Two Thieves

When Jesus died at Galvary
For what our world believes,
On either side upon a Cross
They hung two thieves—

Two members of a lowly mob
Who stole to get their bread
Were tied upon a Cross that day
To taste of death instead.

One thief looked at Christ and said,
If you’re so great
As your followers swear—
Save yourself! Save me!
And save my brother thief there—
If you’re as great
As your followers swear!

But he did not speak for his brother thief
Hanging on the gallows tree,
For the other thief cried only,
Lord, remember me!

Christ had the thorns upon His head
And in His mouth was gall.
From His palms the blood ran red
And on the ground did fall.

For the sins of man I suffer.
For the sins of man I die—
My body and my blood
Are the answer to your cry.

In the garden one betrayed me,
And Peter denied me thrice
But you who cry, Remember me!
Go with me to Paradise.