Hymnal: New Christian Hymn and Tune Book
Date: 1882
Compiler: Fillmore Brothers
Publisher/Printer: Fillmore Brothers
First Line: There were ninety and nine that safely lay
Topic: Christ/Shepherd
Writer: Elizabeth Clephane
Composer:
Tune:
Hymn Number: 703
Page Number: 296, click to see hymnal pages
LyicsTHERE were ninety and nine that safely lay
In the shelter of the fold,
But one had wandered far away,
In the desert so lone and cold-
Away on the mountains wild and bare,
Away from the Shepherd's tender care.
Shepherd, hast thou not here thy ninety and nine?
Are they not enough for thee?
But the Shepherd replied, "This one of mine,
Has wandered away from me;
The way may be wild, and rough, and steep,
I go to the desert to find my sheep."
But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed,
Nor how dark was the night the Lord passed through
Ere he found the sheep that was lost;
Away in the desert he heard its cry,
So feeble and helpless, and ready to die.
And afar up the mountain, thunder-riven,
And along the rocky steep,
There arose the glad song of joy to heaven,
"Rejoice: I have found my sheep!"
And the angels echoed around the throne,
"Rejoice: for the Lord brings back his own!"