I was a wand'ring sheep, I did not love the fold: I did not love my Shepherd's voice, I would not be controlled. I was a wayward child, I did not love my home; I did not love my Father's voice; I loved afar to roam.
The Shepherd sought His sheep, The Father sought His child, They followed me o'er vale and hill, O'er deserts waste and wild; They found me nigh to death, Famished and faint, and lone; They bound me with the bands of love; They saved the wand'ring one.
Jesus my Shepherd is, 'Twas He that loved my soul, 'Twas He that washed me in His blood, 'Twas He that made me whole; 'Twas He that sought the lost, That found the wand'ring sheep, 'Twas He that brought me to the fold, 'Tis He that still doth keep.
I was a wand'ring sheep, I would not be controlled; But now I love the Shepherd's voice, I love, I love the fold; I was a wayward child, I once preferred to roam: But now I love my Father's voice I love, I love His home