Music by W. A. Ogden (1841-1897)

Hark! ’tis the Shepherd’s voice I hear

Out in the desert dark and drear,

Calling the sheep who’ve gone astray

Far from the Shepherd’s fold away.

Refrain

Bring them in, bring them in,

Bring them in from the fields of sin;

Bring them in, bring them in,

Bring the wanderers to Jesus.

Who’ll go and help this Shepherd kind,

Help Him the wand’ring ones to find?

Who’ll bring the lost ones to the fold,

Where they’ll be sheltered from the cold?

Refrain

Bring them in, bring them in,

Bring them in from the fields of sin;

Bring them in, bring them in,

Bring the wanderers to Jesus.

Out in the desert hear their cry,

Out on the mountains wild and high;

Hark! ’tis the Master speaks to thee,

“Go find My sheep where’er they be.”

Refrain

Bring them in, bring them in,

Bring them in from the fields of sin;

Bring them in, bring them in,

Bring the wanderers to Jesus.

     There is no information available on the author of this hymn, Alexenah Thomas, but there is on the composer William Augustine Ogden who was born on October 10, 1841, in Franklin County, Ohio. When Ogden was six years old, his family moved to Indiana. He began studying music in local singing schools at age 8, and could read church music fairly well by age 10. A little later, he could write a melody by hearing it sung or played. When he was 18, he became a chorister in his home church. At the outbreak of the American civil war, Ogden enlisted in the 30th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. During the war he organized a male choir, which became well known throughout the Army of the Cumberland. After the war, Ogden returned home and resumed his musical studies. In addition to composing, Ogden taught at many schools in the United States and Canada. In 1887, he became superintendent of music in the public schools of Toledo, Ohio. Ogden died on October 14, 1897, in Toledo, Ohio.