The Prodigal Son Suite

I was done hoeing, out in the fields for the day

I was thinking of going, I had to leave right away

My life is just fading, and oh I felt so alone

The nearest young maiden was, a full day's ride from home

My father was reading, the Holy books in his room

My heart was just bleeding, I knew I had to go soon

He smiled and pointed at an old wooden chair

I wanted to hold him, but then I just wouldn't dare

I said, father, there'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 go, if I can have your blessing

But if you won't bless my journey, I'm gonna leave anyway

Son, I've always tried my best for you

And if you must be leaving home, then go with the blessing of God

Not too many days later, I was well on my way

I met a travelling stranger, who seemed to have much to say

He told me tales of the city, and all the women he'd had

I asked him, wasn't that sinful

He said, no, it isn't that bad

And then a few days later, on an old city road

We were drowning in laughter, and we had women to hold

And this went on quite a long time, my father gave me a lot

But when my pockets were empty, my friends all left me to rot

Then a famine hit and drained the land

Everywhere I looked I saw starvation, and a job was nowhere to find

I wandered through the city streets, competing for the food of common beggers

Until then I'd never known hunger, but now I wasn't too proud

I finally found some employment, feeding pigs on a farm

I wasn't treated to kindly, I 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 until, I was dreaming of home

Oh, the servants there are better fed

If I could only have what my father gives them

I would truly need nothing more

Oh, I will go and say to him

I'm no longer worthy to be in your family

Will you take me as your servant, and 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 home, in site of the house

My father just stared, dropped open his mouth

He ran up the road, and fell to my feet, and cried, and cried

Father I've sinned, Heaven ashamed

I'm no longer worthy to wear your name

I've learned that my home is right where you are

Oh father, take me in

Bring the best robe, put it on my son

Shoes for his feet, hurry put them on

This is my son who I thought had died

Prepare a feast for my son's alive

I've prayed and prayed, never heard a sound

My son was lost, oh 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