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 Shepherds care.
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.
But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed;
Nor how dark was the night the Lord passed through
Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Out in the desert He heard its cry;
Twas sick and helpless and ready to die.
Lord, whence are those blood-drops all the way,
That mark out the mountains track?
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?
Theyre pierced tonight by many a thorn.
And all through the mountains, thunder-rivn,
And up from the rocky steep,
There arose a glad cry to the gate of heavn,
Rejoice! I have found My sheep!
And the angels echoed around the throne,
Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!
Music video by Bill & Gloria Gaither performing The Ninety and Nine (feat. Donnie Sumner and The Talley Trio) [Live]. (P) (C) 2012 Spring House Music Group. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by EMI Christian Music Group,
