I was done hoeingout in the fields for the day



I was thinking of goingI had to leave right away



My life is just fadingand oh I felt so alone



The nearest young maiden wasa full day's ride from home.



My father was readingthe holy books in his room



My heart was just bleedingI knew I had to go soon



He smiled and pointed at an old wooden chair



I wanted to hold himbut then I just wouldn't dare.



I saidfatherthere's so much to know



There's a world of things to see



And I'm ready to go and make a life for myself



If you give me what is mine



I will goif I can have your blessing



But if you won't bless my journeyI'm gonna leave anyway.



SonI've always tried my best for you



And if you must be leaving homethen go with the blessing of god.



Not too many days laterI was well on my way



I met a travelling strangerwho seemed to have much to say



He told me tales of the cityand all the women he'd had



I asked himwasn't that sinful



He saidnoit isn't that bad.



And then a few days lateron an old city road



We were drowning in laughterand we had women to hold



And this went on quite a long timemy father gave me a lot



But when my pockets were emptymy friends all left me to rot.



Then a famine hit and drained the land



Everywhere I looked I saw starvationand a job was nowhere to find



I wandered through the city streetscompeting for the food of common beggers



Until then I'd never known hungerbut now I wasn't too proud.



I finally found some employmentfeeding pigs on a farm



I wasn't treated to kindlyI had to sleep in the barn



I had to eat with the swine



The bread I ate was like stone



It didn't take too much time untilI was dreaming of home.



Ohthe servants there are better fed



If I could only have what my father gives them



I would truly need nothing more.



OhI will go and say to him



I'm no longer worthy to be in your family



Will you take me as your servantand let me live with them.



It didn't take too long to pack my things



I left with only what I wore



And I prayed that I still had a home.



I was near homein site of the house



My father just stareddropped open his mouth



He ran up the roadand fell to my feetand criedand cried



Father I've sinnedheaven ashamed



I'm no longer worthy to wear your name



I've learned that my home is right where you are



Oh fathertake me in.



Bring the best robeput it on my son



Shoes for his feethurry put them on



This is my son who I thought had died



Prepare a feast for my son's alive



I've prayed and prayednever heard a sound



My son was lostoh thank you God he's found



My son was dead and he's now alive



Prepare a feast for my son's alive



My son was dead



My son was lost



My son's returned in the hands of god.