Scripture Verse

Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke. Turn Thou me, and I shall be turned; for Thou art the Lord my God. Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. Jeremiah 31:18–19

Introduction

portrait
William B. Collyer (1782–1854)

Words: Will­iam B. Coll­yer, Hymns (Lon­don: 1812).

Music: Re­turn (Squires) Will­iam H. Squires, 1895 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Squires (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Return, O wanderer, return,
And seek an injured Fa­ther’s face;
Those warm desires that in thee burn
Were kindled by reclaiming grace.

Return, O wanderer, return,
And seek a Fa­ther’s melting heart,
Whose pitying eyes thy grief discern,
Whose hand can heal thine inward smart.

Return, O wanderer, return,
He heard thy deep repentant sigh,
He saw thy softened spirit mourn
When no intruding ear was nigh.

Return, O wanderer, return,
Thy Sav­ior bids thy spirit live;
Go to His bleeding feet, and learn
How freely Je­sus can forgive.

Return, O wanderer, return,
And wipe away the falling tear;
’Tis God who says, No longer mourn,
’Tis mercy’s voice invites thee near.