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Alvin (Bud) Herman Manz in 2005

There was a loving Shepherd,
Who vigil e'er would keep,
As on a verdant pasture,
He led a hundred sheep;
They were so blithe and lively,
And ne'er felt any need,
Their Shepherd true, their Shepherd true,
Them faithfully did lead.

Yet from this faithful Shepherd,
Alas! a sheep did stray,
And wander'd in a wildwood,
Upon a dang'rous way;
In thorns and briers tangled,
The wild wolf's easy prey,
O Shepherd Dear, O Shepherd Dear,
Thy sheep has gone astray!

As soon as He had known it,
That all were there but one,
He sought this sheep in anguish,
Which from the fold had gone.
He loudly called with pleadings,
As thorny ways He crossed;
This Shepherd Dear, this Shepherd Dear,
Seeks all sheep that are lost!

It was so faint and helpless,
A sad sight to behold,
But this good faithful Shepherd
Soon bore it to the fold.
The rest beheld with wonder.
And cried with sheer delight,
The Shepherd true, the Shepherd true,
Would leave none in this plight!

Now unto me interpret,
Who was this erring sheep,
And who with love so tender
Had sought on ways so steep
And found this sheep that wandered?
I was this erring one!
My Saviour is the Shepherd true,
God's own beloved Son!