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Lyrics and Information

The Ninety and Nine

Words by Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1868
Ira D. Sankey, 1874
Key signature: A flat major (4 flats)
Time signature: 6/8
Meter: Irregular
Public Domain
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; 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; 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 the Lord passed through Ere He found His sheep that was lost. Far out in the desert He heard its cry; ’Twas sick and helpand readto die; ’Twas sick and helpand readto die.
4. “Lord, whence are those blooddrops all the way, That mark out the mountain’s 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?” “They’re pierced tonight by mana thorn; They’re pierced tonight by mana thorn.”
5. And all through the mountains, thunderriv’n And up from rocky steep, There rose glad cry to the gate of heav’n, “Rejoice! I have found My sheep!” And angel echaround the throne, “Rejoice, the Lord brings back His own! Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own.”