Scripture Verse

I will arise and go to my father. Luke 15:18

Introduction

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Ellen M. Gates
1835–1920

Words: Ell­en M. Gates, in Gos­pel Hymns and Sac­red Songs, by Phi­lip P. Bliss & Ira D. San­key (New York: Big­low & Main, 1875), num­ber 38.

Music: W. How­ard Doane (🔊 pdf nwc).

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W. Howard Doane (1832–1915)

In Vic­tor­ia Hall, Sun­der­land, Eng­land, Mr. Moo­dy one ev­en­ing closed his ser­mon with the sto­ry of a pro­di­gal son, who was re­con­ciled to his fa­ther—as he stood by the bed of his dy­ing mo­ther. Then Mr. San­key sang—

Oh, pro­di­gal child, come home.

When the au­di­ence had been dis­missed, there came in­to the en­qui­ry meet­ing a young man who had long played the part of the pro­di­gal son, to the great grief of his god­ly par­ents.

With a face marked with deep­est pe­ni­tence he came up to his fa­ther and mo­ther, and throw­ing his arms about them, with ma­ny tears asked their for­giv­eness and al­so the par­don of God for his sins. The pro­di­gal child had a dou­ble wel­come from God and man.

Crafts, pp. 46–47

Lyrics

Come home! come home!
You are wea­ry at heart,
For the way has been dark,
And so lone­ly and wild.
O pro­digal child!
Come home! oh come home!

Refrain

Come home!
Come, oh come home!

Come home! come home!
For we watch and we wait,
And we stand at the gate,
While the sha­dows are piled.
O pro­di­gal child!
Come home! oh come home!

Refrain

Come home! come home!
From the sor­row and blame,
From the sin and the shame,
And the tempt­er that smiled,
O pro­di­gal child!
Come home! oh come home!

Refrain

Come home! come home!
There is bread and to spare,
And a warm wel­come there,
Then, to friends re­con­ciled,
O pro­di­gal child!
Come home! oh come home!

Refrain