The Black Sheep Returned To The Fold
The Osborne Brothers Lyrics


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(Fred Rose)

Oh, long is the night I have travelled
The way was so bitter and cold
I long for the day when my shepard will say
The black sheep returned to the fold.

Forever my dreams are of heaven
A treasure more precious then gold
The church bells will ring and the angels will sing
The black sheep returned to the fold.

--- Instrumental ---

My mission on earth now is ended
My body is weary and cold
The words have been blessed in this heacen of rest
The black sheep returned to the fold.

So bury me there in the churchyard
The story of life has been told




And let it be known by the words on the stone
The black sheep returned to the fold...

Overall Meaning

The Osborne Brothers' song "The Black Sheep Returned to the Fold," written by Fred Rose, is a poignant and reflective tune about a person who feels lost and disconnected from their spiritual home. The lyrics suggest that, for some reason, the singer has been absent from their church community for a long period of time, perhaps due to personal struggles or doubts about their faith. However, the singer longs to return and be welcomed back into the fold by their "shepherd," representing the church or a higher power.


The first verse sets the stage for the singer's journey, describing the long and bitter night they have traveled. This line could be interpreted in a literal sense, with the person undertaking a difficult physical journey, or as a metaphorical journey of the soul, where the person has felt lost and alone for an extended period. The second verse describes the singer's dreams of heaven as a treasure more precious than gold, emphasizing the importance of faith and the hope of redemption. The third verse speaks to the end of the singer's earthly journey, where they are ready to be received back into the fold and reunited with their spiritual community. The final line is a clear signal of the singer's hope for redemption - they want to be remembered as the black sheep who finally returned to the fold, a symbol of their renewed faith and commitment.


Overall, “The Black Sheep Returned to the Fold” is a powerful ode to the longing for spiritual renewal, and the idea that it’s never too late to return to one’s faith, even after a period of wandering.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, long is the night I have travelled
I have endured a long and difficult journey


The way was so bitter and cold
The path was harsh and unforgiving


I long for the day when my shepard will say
I eagerly await the moment when my spiritual guide accepts me back


The black sheep returned to the fold.
I, the lost and wayward sheep, have come back to the flock


Forever my dreams are of heaven
My ultimate aspiration is to reach the celestial realm


A treasure more precious then gold
Something more valuable than earthly riches


The church bells will ring and the angels will sing
The spiritual realm will joyfully celebrate my return


The black sheep returned to the fold.
I am welcomed back into the spiritual community


--- Instrumental ---


My mission on earth now is ended
My task and purpose on this earthly plane is complete


My body is weary and cold
My physical body is tired and lifeless


The words have been blessed in this heaven of rest
My words and actions have been deemed worthy in the afterlife


The black sheep returned to the fold.
I have successfully returned to the spiritual community


So bury me there in the churchyard
Lay my remains to rest in a sacred place


The story of life has been told
My life journey has come to an end


And let it be known by the words on the stone
May it be memorialized on my grave marker


The black sheep returned to the fold.
I, the lost sheep, have found my way home




Writer(s): Fred Rose

Contributed by Zachary J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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