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 blessings of God"
Not too many days later, I was well on my way
I met a traveling stranger who seemed to have much to say
He told me tales of the city and all the women he 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, Lord, 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 so hard to find
I wandered through the city streets, competing for the food of common beggars
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, Lord; 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 sight 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's 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 hand of God"