1 Behold the wretch whose lust and wine Had wasted his estate, He begs a share among the swine, To taste the husks they eat!
2 "I die with hunger here (he cries) "I starve in foreign lands, "My father's house has large supplies, "And bounteous are his hands.
3 "I'll go, and with a mournful tongue "Fall down before his face, "Father, I've done thy justice wrong, "Nor can deserve thy grace."
4 He said, and hasten'd to his home, To seek his father's love; The father saw the rebel come, And all his bowels move.
5 He ran, and fell upon his neck, Embrac'd and kiss'd his son; The rebel's heart with sorrow brake For follies he had done.
6 "Take off his clothes of shame and sin," (The father gives command) "Dress him in garments white and clean, "With rings adorn his hand.
7 "A day of feasting I ordain, "Let mirth and joy abound; "My son was dead, and lives again, "Was lost, and now is found."