Christian Hymns ‎#83

83. The Ninety And Nine

1 There were ninety and nine that safely lay
In the shelter of the fold,
But one was out on the hills away,
Far off from the gates of gold.
Away on the mountains, wild and bare,
Away from the tender Shepherd’s care,
Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.

2 Dear Savior, Thou hast Thy ninety nine,
Are they not enough for Thee?"
But Jesus answered: "This sheep of mine
Has wandered away from me;
And tho' the long road be rough and steep,
I go to the desert for my sheep,
I go to the desert for my sheep."

3 But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep the waters crossed,
Nor dark the night that the Lord passed thro'
Before He could find the lost.
Far out in the wilds, He heard its cry,
'Twas helpless and sick and ready to die,
'Twas helpless and sick and ready to die.

4 "Lord, whence are those blooddrops all the way
Thro' the mountain's rugged track?"
"They flowed for one who had gone astray
Before I could bring him back."
"Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn?"
They're pierced tonight by many a thorn;
They're pierced tonight by many a thorn.

5 All along thro' the mountains, thunder-riv'n,
From the rough and rocky steep,
There 'rose a cry to the gates of heav'n:
"Rejoice! I have found my sheep."
Then echoed the angels 'round the throne:
"Rejoice! for the Lord brings back His own!"
"Rejoice! for the Lord brings back His own."

Text Information

• First Line: There were ninety and nine that safely lay
• Title: The Ninety And Nine
• Author: Elizabeth C. Clephane
• Arr.: L. O. S.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1935

Tune Information

• Name: [There were ninety and nine that safely lay]
• Composer: Ira D. Sankey
• Arranger: L. O. Sanderson
• Key: A♭ Major