Joy to the World ‎#26

26. Ninety and Nine

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: "'Tis one 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
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 through 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 echoed around the throne,
"Rejoice, for the Lord brings back his own!"

Text Information

• First Line: There were ninety and nine that safely lay
• Title: Ninety and Nine
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1879
• Notes: Public Domain.

Tune Information

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