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."