Over the thorn and thistle, Along the stony way, From the Shepherd's care to the desert bare, There wandered a sheep one day ; And a voice fell sadly from far away : " My sheep, how long wilt thou love to stray ? "
2. Over the thorn and thistle, Along the stony way, With feet that bled, the Shepherd sped To where the wanderer lay; He had heard it crying from far away : " Lord, bring me home to Thy flock, I pray ! "
3. " Over the thorn and thistle, Along the stony way, I have sought for thee, now trust to Me, I'll bear thee home to-day. The wolf and lion flee far away When on My shoulder My sheep I lay."
4. Instead of the thorn and thistle, The myrtle bedecks the way Where the Shepherd feeds and gently leads The sheep He found that day; And He leadeth others from far away To rest in fields of a cloudless day.