The Strayed Lamb

1 A giddy lamb, one afternoon,
Had from the fold departed;
The tender shepherd miss'd it soon,
And sought it broken hearted.

2 Not all the flock that shared his love
Could from the search delay him;
Nor cloud of midnight darkness move,
Nor fear of suffering stay him.

3 But night and day he went his way
In sorrow, till he found it;
And when he saw it fainting lie,
He clasp'd his arms around it.

4 Then, safely folded to his breast,
From every ill to save it;
He brought it to his home of rest,
And pitied and forgave it.

5 And thus the Saviour will receive
The little ones who fear him;
Their pains remove, their sins forgive,
And draw them gently near him.

6 Blest while they live, and when they died,
When flesh and spirit sever--
Conduct them to his throne on high,
To dwell with him forever.

Source: Linden Harp: a rare collection of popular melodies adapted to sacred and moral songs, original and selected. Illustrated. Also a manual of... #39