I was done hoeingout in the fields for the day
I was thinking of goingI had to leave right away
My life is just fadingand oh I felt so alone
The nearest young maiden wasa full day’s ride from home.
My father was readingthe holy books in his room
My heart was just bleedingI knew I had to go soon
He smiled and pointed at an old wooden chair
I wanted to hold himbut then I just wouldn’t dare.
I saidfatherthere’s so much to know
There’s a world of things to see
And I’m ready to go and make a life for myself
If you give me what is mine
I will goif I can have your blessing
But if you won’t bless my journeyI’m gonna leave anyway.
SonI’ve always tried my best for you
And if you must be leaving homethen go with the blessing of god.
Not too many days laterI was well on my way
I met a travelling strangerwho seemed to have much to say
He told me tales of the cityand all the women he’d had
I asked himwasn’t that sinful
He saidnoit isn’t that bad.
And then a few days lateron an old city road
We were drowning in laughterand we had women to hold
And this went on quite a long timemy father gave me a lot
But when my pockets were emptymy friends all left me to rot.
Then a famine hit and drained the land
Everywhere I looked I saw starvationand a job was nowhere to find
I wandered through the city streetscompeting for the food of common beggers
Until then I’d never known hungerbut now I wasn’t too proud.
I finally found some employmentfeeding pigs on a farm
I wasn’t treated to kindlyI had to sleep in the barn
I had to eat with the swine
The bread I ate was like stone
It didn’t take too much time untilI was dreaming of home.
Ohthe servants there are better fed
If I could only have what my father gives them
I would truly need nothing more.
OhI will go and say to him
I’m no longer worthy to be in your family
Will you take me as your servantand let me live with them.
It didn’t take too long to pack my things
I left with only what I wore
And I prayed that I still had a home.
I was near homein site of the house
My father just stareddropped open his mouth
He ran up the roadand fell to my feetand criedand cried
Father I’ve sinnedheaven ashamed
I’m no longer worthy to wear your name
I’ve learned that my home is right where you are
Oh fathertake me in.
Bring the best robeput it on my son
Shoes for his feethurry put them on
This is my son who I thought had died
Prepare a feast for my son’s alive
I’ve prayed and prayednever heard a sound
My son was lostoh thank you God he’s found
My son was dead and he’s now alive
Prepare a feast for my son’s alive
My son was dead
My son was lost
My son’s returned in the hands of god.
