Scripture Verse

I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against Heaven and you. Luke 15:18

Introduction

Words & Mu­sic: Will­iam J. Kirk­pat­rick, Win­ning Songs (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: John J. Hood, 1892), num­ber 141 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Kirk­pat­rick wrote this song at a camp meet­ing in Raw­lins­ville, Penn­syl­van­ia, with a ve­ry spe­ci­fic pur­pose: to win the soul of his so­lo­ist, a non­be­liev­er. Af­ter Kirk­pat­rick prayed for the young man, these words came to him. He wrote them down quick­ly, and af­ter the so­lo­ist sang them that night, he be­came a Chris­tian.

portrait
William J. Kirkpatrick (1838–1921)

Lyrics

I’ve wan­dered far away from God,
Now I’m com­ing home;
The paths of sin too long I’ve trod,
Lord, I’m com­ing home.

Refrain

Com­ing home, com­ing home,
Nevermore to roam,
Open wide Thine arms of love,
Lord, I’m com­ing home.

I’ve wast­ed many pre­cious years,
Now I’m com­ing home;
I now re­pent with—tears,
Lord, I’m com­ing home.

Refrain

I’m tired of sin and stray­ing, Lord,
Now I’m com­ing home;
I’ll trust Thy love, be­lieve Thy Word,
Lord, I’m com­ing home.

Refrain

My soul is sick, my heart is sore,
Now I’m com­ing home;
My strength re­new, my hope re­store,
Lord, I’m com­ing home.

Refrain

My on­ly hope, my on­ly plea,
Now I’m com­ing home;
That Je­sus died, and died for me.
Lord, I’m com­ing home.

Refrain

I need His cleans­ing blood, I know,
Now I’m com­ing home;
O wash me whi­ter than the snow,
Lord, I’m com­ing home.

Refrain