International Song Service ‎#230

230. There were ninety and nine that safely lay

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.

2 "Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine:
Are they not enough for Thee?"
But the Shepherd made answer: "This of mine,
Has wandered away from me:
And although the road be rough and steep
I go to the desert to find my sheep,"

3 But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed;
How dark the night the Lord passed thro'
Ere He found His sheep that was lost,
Out in the desert He heard its cry--
Sick and helpless, and ready to die.

4 But all thro' the mountains, thunder-riven,
And up from the rocky steep,
There rose a cry to the gate of heaven,
"Rejoice! I have found my sheep!"
And the angels echoes around the throne,
"Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!"

Text Information

• First Line: There were ninety and nine that safely lay
• Author: Chaplaine
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1895

Tune Information

(No tune information)