Lyrics:

"Someone is absent," the shepherd said
As o'er my classbook he bent his head
"For several Sundays absent, too
"So tell me teacher what did you do?"

"I didn't call as perhaps I should
"I sent some cards but they did no good
"I never heard, and she never came
"So I decided to drop her name"

He answered gravely, "The fault was mine
"Hundred, no, there were ninety nine
"One was lost and dark and cold
"I sought that sheep that had left the fold"

"The path was stony and edged with thorns
"My feet were wounded, bruised, and torn
"I kept on searching not counting the cost
"And overjoyed when I found the lost"

Thus spoke the shepherd in tender tones
"I looked and lo, I was all alone
"But God a vision had sent to me
"To show his will toward the absentee"