[Instrumental intro] [Verse 1] Alas, my errant, froward feet, profaning pride and wayward will! They lead me from the pasture sweet, beyond the fence and down the hill to gullies where I find defeat. [Refrain] O, You, my Lord, I love You most— this I state. But my ways expose an empty boast... [Echo] (My own child, you roamed far, lonely;) (I called you home, your wand'rings over.) [Instrumental] [Verse 2] The track You carved for me to pace, to veer not left nor right, nor roam, but climb the height. I set my face to flee the road that leads me home, and choose the dark and lonely place. [Refrain] O, You, my Lord, I love You most— this I state. But my ways expose an empty boast... [Echo] (My dear child, fearful and weary—) (though you veer, you know I am here:) (I am nearer.) [Instrumental] [Verse 3] Imprisoned deep by choking vine; bush lawyer here decrees. It tears my skin. This doom is rightly mine. From mire, can I dare whisper prayers? To my defeat I must resign. [Refrain] O, You, my Lord, I love You most— this I state. But my ways expose an empty boast... [Bridge] Here in the gully's depths, I cry to You, my Shepherd. O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears attend my pleas for mercy. Should You mark every wandering —each rebellion— who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness —I tremble! My soul waits for You, my Lord, my soul waits... [Instrumental] [Verse 4] At last the wand'ring child is spent; no pasture near, no strength to fight, no pride to plead, no knee unbent; in this, the cold and starless night I break, I weep, and I repent. [Refrain] O, You, my Lord, I love You most— this I state. But my ways expose an empty boast... [Echo] (My meek child, I see your weeping;) (I will not leave you in the deep—) (be at peace; I'll be your keeper.) [Instrumental] [Verse 5] With Your firm crook You pull me back to paddock safe, to my true flock, with grace You place me back on track where I can rest on surest Rock and nothing needful I will lack. [Refrain] Now I will boast, but it is true: in all my boast, I speak of You. [Echo] (My own child, home—be still, and know) (I hold you, gathered from the snow;) (now rise, and walk the road I chose,) (for all the way, my own, we go.)
