I was wandering and weary
When the Savior came to me,
For the paths of sin were dreary,
And the world had ceased to woo me;
And I thought I heard him say,
As He came along His way—
“Wand’ring souls, Oh! do come near me,
My sheep should never fear me:
I am the Shepherd true!”
At first I would not hearken.
But put off till the morrow;
But life began to darken,
And I was sick with sorrow;
And I thought I heard Him say,
As He came along His way—
At last I stopped to listen;
His voice could ne’er deceive me.
I saw His kind eye glisten,
So anxious to relieve me;
And I was sure I heard Him say,
As He came along His way—
“Wand’ring souls, Oh! do come near me,
My sheep should never fear me:
I am the Shepherd true!”
He took me on His shoulder,
And tenderly He kissed me;
He bade my love grow bolder,
And said how He had missed me;
And I was sure I heard Him say,
As He went along His way—
I thought His love would weaken,
As more and more He knew me;
But it burneth like a beacon,
And its light and heat go through me;
And I ever hear Him say,
As He goes along His way—
“Wand’ring souls, Oh! do come near me,
My sheep should never fear me,
I am the Shepherd true!”