The Ninety and Nine

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

"Oh thou hast here thy ninety and nine

Are they not enough for thee?"

But our shepherd made answer:

"This of mine has wandered away from me!

And though the road be rough and steep

I go to the desert to find my sheep!

I go to the desert to find me sheep!"

None of the ransomed ever knew

How deep were the waters crossed

Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed though

Ere he found his sheep that was lost

Out in the desert he heard its cry

Sick and helpless and ready to die

Sick and helpless and ready to die

But all though the mountains

thunder-riven

And up from the rocky steep

There rose a glad cry at the gates of heav'n

"Rejoice

I have found my sheep!"

And the angels echoed around the throne

"Rejoice

for the Lord brings back his own!

Rejoice for the Lord brings back his own!"