AFAR from home and loved ones
In distant lands to roam,
He sought to find his pleasures
Far, far away from home.
With pockets full of money,
With spirits bright and gay,
He left his home of childhood
And wandered far away.
Soon time brought on its changes,
And sin its issues too,
"The way of the transgressor
Is hard," is surely true.
His money all was wasted,
His friends proved all untrue,
He had no home or shelter,
So what was he to do?
A citizen employed him,
His hungry swine to feed,
But in his rags and tatters
He felt his utter need.
His thoughts were carried backward
To home, and father too,
To those he badly treated,
And yet who loved him so.
I'll rise and go to father,
And to him I shall say,
I've sinned against high heaven,
I've sinned as well 'gainst thee.
I am no longer worthy
To claim the place of son;
Make me a hired servant;
I've sinned in what I've done.
And when the aged father
Beheld him as he came,
He ran, with arms wide open,
And cried, he's home again.
The best robe bring, and sandals,
And place on him the ring,
The fatted calf make ready,
And sweetest music bring.
My son, once dead, now living,
Once lost, indeed is found;
My heart is full of gladness,
Go spread the news around.
How all this tells a story
Of how God's heart divine,
Welcomes a poor vile sinner
Into His house of wine.
The prodigal He'll pardon,
And with His robe invest,
Will cover him with kisses,
And fold him to His breast.
Come now to Him who loves you,
No longer stay away,
He's ready to receive you,
Now is salvation's day.
Ere yet another morning
Your spirit may have fled,
And your poor, lifeless body
Be numbered with the dead.
Then as a guilty sinner,
To God, through Christ repair,
And through eternal ages
His glory you will share.