Many years ago, I saw a movie called The Devil at 4 O’clock. The premise of the movie is an alcoholic priest, portrayed by Spencer Tracy enlists Frank Sinatra, Gregoire Aslan and Bernie Hamilton to help him rescue the children of an island orphanage when the volcano on the island erupts.
During the course of the movie, the convict played by Bernie Hamilton heroically holds a bridge on his back until all of the children can get across a deep chasm. Once the children were safely on the other side, the bridge collapsed upon him, crushing his chest. As he lay dying, the priest offers to hear his confession and the man reminds the priest that he is an unworthy thief. The priest tells him the story of the thief crucified with Christ and explains how the good thief “Stole his way into heaven.”
“That’s some pretty good stealing,” the man says before dying.
That, and the gospel of John are the inspiration for this song.
The Good Thief
I was a very good thief. The entire world belonged to me.
Your purse was ripe for the picking. It was my profession, not a sin. Not to me.
Your darkened home was my domain, for I held the master key.
You see, I practiced my craft like no other. I was a very good thief.
It was never about the money, no. It was the thrill that so appealed.
The darkness was my ally, there was nothing I could not steal.
Like the darkened homes I raided. My soul consumed the light within me.
And masked all that I was. I was a very good thief.
One day I was caught up. Righteous men prevailed.
My luck had finally run out. My dark secret was unveiled.
Justice would be passed. All I had done would be shown to the world.
They hung me on a cross with yet another thief.
A brother of the art. Another man with secrets to keep.
Between us was a carpenter. A man without the stain of larceny.
And yet, his punishment was more brutal than mine, this very good thief.
My brother taunted this man. But He had only pity for us.
His compassion extended to us both and went well beyond that cross.
As he was pulled apart He forgave his tormentors and then he turned and looked at me.
And in His eyes I found forgiveness from God for this very good thief
This man had done no wrong. Had committed no crime.
But I deserved my fate for all I’d done in my lifetime
I asked Him to remember me when he came into His Kingdom and He promised to take me to paradise.
I was a very good thief. The entire world belonged to me.
Your purse was ripe for the picking. It was my profession, not a sin, for I was free.
That carpenter became my advocate, my judge. I was redeemed.
And in the end I stole my way right into heaven. I was a very good thief.
Copyright 2025 by Jose Antonio Ponce