Free download. In Amidons' book 'Fifty-five Anthems for the Small Church Choir' Sung here by the Friends-of-the-Amidons-Singers, Tony Barrand and Mary Alice Amidon soloists. Our late friend and singing colleague Lucy Simpson was a great collector and singer of old hymns. Like many of her discoveries, she found this song in one of her many old hymnals. You get both the piano/SATB score and vocal score pdfs.
LYRICS
The Prodigal's Return from 'The Vestry Harp' by AD Merrill, published in 1845.
Afflictions though they seem severe In mercy oft are sent, They stopped the prodigal's career And caused him to repent.
I'll die no more for bread, he cried Nor starve in foreign lands My father's house hath large supplies And bounteous are his hands.
What have I gained by sin, he said, But hunger shame and fear; My father's house abounds with bread While I am starving here.
I'll go and tell him all I've done Fall down before his face Unworthy to be called his son I'll seek a servant's place.
His father saw him coming back He saw and ran and smiled And threw his arms around the neck Of his rebellious child.
Father, I've sinned but O forgive Enough, the Father said; Rejoice, my house, my Son's alive For whom I mourned as dead.
Now let the fatted calf be slain And spread the news around; My son was dead and lives again; Was lost, but now is found.
'Tis thus the Lord his love reveals, To call poor sinners home; More than a Father's love he feels, And welcomes all who come.
I'll die no more for bread, he cried Nor starve in foreign lands My father's house hath large supplies And bounteous are his hands
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