Where Is My Child?

1 A mother's voice is calling in eager tones of love,
"Where is my child, oh, tell me, where doth my dear one rove?
His home he hath forsaken, - far out upon the wild
I fear his feet are straying - where is my darling child?
"Where is my child today?
Oh, help me search, I pray!
The day is now declining,
The western sky is gray.
Oh, help me find my child
Far out upon the wild,
Ere cruel storms o'ertake him,
Oh, help me find my child!"

2 A shepherd's voice is calling in accents loud and clear,
"Where is my sheep that wandered beyond my sheltered mear?
The crags are cold and barren, and evil lurketh there, -
Where is my lamb now straying far from my fold and care?
"Where is my lamb today?
Oh help me search, I pray!
The day is fast declining,
The western sky is gray;
Oh, help me find my sheep
Upon the barren steep,
Ere cruel storms o'ertake him,
Oh, help me save my sheep!"

3 A Father's voice is calling in tones of pard'ning grace,
"Where is my son? oh, bid him arise and seek my face!
For him I still am keeping the robe, the ring, the shoes, -
The bread for which he hungers I will not him refuse.
"Where is my son today,
From love and rest astray?
For him life's day is waning,
Death's wing o'ershades his way!
Oh, bid him seek his home,
And cease from me to roam:
His Father waits to meet him,
And bid him welcome home!"

Source: The Silver Trumpet: a collection of new and selected hymns; for use in public worship, revival services, prayer and social meetings, and Sunday schools #165