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 â 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 ; Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed through [lost. Ere He found His sheep that was Out in the desert He heard its cry â Sick and helpless, and ready to die.
4. " Lord, whence are those blood-drops all the way [track ? " That mark out the mountain's " They were shed for one who had gone astray" Ere the Shepherd could bring him back. " Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn ? " " They are pierced to-night by many a thorn.
5. But all through the mountains, thunder-riven, And up from the rocky steep, There arose a cry to the gate of heaven, " " Rejoice ! I have found My sheep ! And the angels echoed around the throne, " " Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own !