Sinners Jesus will receive;
Sound this word of grace to all
Who the heavenly pathway leave,
All who linger, all who fall.

Refrain

Sing it o’er and over again;
Christ receiveth sinful men;
Make the message clear and plain:
Christ receiveth sinful men.

Come, and He will give you rest;
Trust Him, for His Word is plain;
He will take the sinfulest;
Christ receiveth sinful men.

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Now my heart condemns me not,
Pure before the law I stand;
He who cleansed me from all spot,
Satisfied its last demand.

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Christ receiveth sinful men,
Even me with all my sin;
Purged from every spot and stain,
Heaven with Him I enter in.

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Jesus, Friend of sinners, hast Thou love for me?
Son of God the Holy, Man of mystery,
Lover of the children, Teacher of the wise,
Let me read the secret in Thy friendly eyes.

Jesus, Friend of sinners, Thou hast read my heart,
Searching its recesses with a lover’s art;
Naught have I withholden, nothing hid from Thee—
Waste, or want, or folly—things that should not be.

Jesus, Friend of sinners, Thou hast touched my soul,
Not with scornful pity, not with beggar’s dole;
Thou hast not despisèd men that faint or fall,
Tenderer than brother, for Thou knowest all.

Jesus, Friend of sinners, bid me follow Thee,
O’er the rugged highways, e’en to Calvary;
Let me know Thy Spirit, sweet and strong and wise;
I would win the friendship in Thy loving eyes.

Jesus, Friend of sinners, hold me by Thy side,
Till the shadows deepen tow’rd the eventide;
To Thy strength and beauty I would ever bend,
Till, in dawn eternal, Friend shall be as friend!

Jesus sinners doth receive;
Oh, may all this saying ponder
Who in sin’s delusions live
And from God and Heaven wander!
Here is hope for all who grieve—
Jesus sinners doth receive.

We deserve but grief and shame,
Yet His words, rich grace revealing,
Pardon, peace and life proclaim.
Here their ills have perfect healing
Who with humble hearts believe—
Jesus sinners doth receive.

Sheep that from the fold did stray
No true shepherd e’er forsaketh;
Weary souls that lost their way
Christ, the Shepherd, gently taketh
In His arms that they may live—
Jesus sinners doth receive.

Come, ye sinners, one and all,
Come, accept His invitation;
Come, obey His gracious call,
Come and take His free salvation!
Firmly in these words believe:
Jesus sinners doth receive.

I, a sinner, come to Thee
With a penitent confession;
Savior, mercy show to me
Grant for all my sins remission.
Let these words my soul relieve:
Jesus sinners doth receive.

Oh, how blest it is to know:
Were as scarlet my transgression,
It shall be as white as snow
By Thy blood and bitter Passion;
For these words I now believe:
Jesus sinners doth receive.

Now my conscience is at peace,
From the Law I stand acquitted;
Christ hath purchased my release
And my every sin remitted.
Naught remains my soul to grieve—
Jesus sinners doth receive.

Jesus sinners doth receive.
Also I have been forgiven;
And when I this earth must leave,
I shall find an open Heaven.
Dying, still to Him I cleave—
Jesus sinners doth receive.

Jesus, the sinner’s Friend, to Thee,
Lost and undone, for aid I flee,
Weary of earth, myself, and sin:
Open Thine arms, and take me in.

Pity and heal my sin sick soul;
’Tis Thou alone canst make me whole;
Dark, till in me Thine image shine,
And lost, I am, till Thou art mine.

At last I own it cannot be
That I should fit myself for Thee:
Here, then, to Thee I all resign;
Thine is the work, and only Thine.

What shall I say Thy grace to move?
Lord, I am sin, but Thou art love;
I give up every plea beside—
Lord, I am lost, but Thou hast died.

My Savior sinners doth receive
Who find no rest and no salvation,
To whom no man can comfort give,
So great their guilt and condemnation;
For whom the world is all too small,
Their sins both them and God appall;
With whom the Law itself hath broken,
On whom its judgment hath been spoken—
To them the Gospel hope doth give:
My Savior sinners doth receive.
My Savior sinners doth receive.

A love more deep than mother-love,
With which His heart was overflowing,
Drew Him on earth from Heav’n above,
On sinners boundless grace bestowing,
He in their stead a curse became,
He bore the cross with all its shame;
Brought full atonement by His suffering,
Gave up His life for them an offering.
This comfort doth the Gospel give:
My Savior sinners doth receive.
My Savior sinners doth receive.

His loving bosom still remains
A haven for the heavy laden;
Christ frees them from their guilty stains,
Their burdened hearts doth ease and gladden.
He casts into th’unfathomed sea
The load of their iniquity;
He gives assurance by His Spirit
That they are saved through His own merit.
Yea, they shall live who this believe:
My Savior sinners doth receive.
My Savior sinners doth receive.

Say not: “My sins are far too great,
His mercy I have scorned and slighted,
Now my repentance is too late;
I came not when His love invited.”
O trembling sinner, have no fear;
In penitence to Christ draw near.
Come now, though conscience still is chiding;
Accept His mercy, e’er abiding.
Come; blest are they who this believe:
My Savior sinners doth receive.
My Savior sinners doth receive.

Oh, draw us ever unto Thee,
Thou Friend of sinners, gracious Savior;
Help us that we may fervently
Desire Thy pardon, peace and favor.
When guilty conscience doth reprove,
Reveal to us Thy heart of love.
May we, our wretchedness beholding,
See then Thy pardoning grace unfolding
And say: “To God all glory be:
My Savior, Christ, receiveth me.
My Savior, Christ, receiveth me.”

Sinners, believe the Gospel word,
Jesus is come your souls to save
Jesus is come, your common Lord;
Pardon ye all through Him may have,
May now be saved, whoever will;
This Man receiveth sinners still.

See where the lame, the halt, the blind,
The deaf, the dumb, the sick, the poor,
Flock to the Friend of human kind,
And freely all accept their cure;
To whom did He His help deny?
Whom in His days of flesh pass by?

Did not His Word the fiends expel,
The lepers cleanse, and raise the dead?
Did He not all their sickness heal,
And satisfy their every need?
Did He reject His helpless clay,
Or send them sorrowful away?

Nay, but His bowels yearned to see
The people hungry, scattered, faint;
Nay, but He uttered over thee,
Jerusalem, a true complaint;
Jerusalem, who shedd’st His blood,
That, with His tears, for thee hath flowed.

Thy faithfulness, Lord, each moment we find,
So true to Thy Word, so loving and kind!
Thy mercy so tender to all the lost race,
The vilest offender may turn and find grace.

The mercy I feel, to others I show,
I set to my seal that Jesus is true:
Ye all may find favor, who come at His call,
O come to my Savior, His grace is for all!

To save what was lost, from Heaven He came;
Come, sinners, and trust in Jesus’ Name.
He offers you pardon; He bids you be free;
“If sin be your burden, O come unto Me!”

O let me commend my Savior to you,
The publican’s Friend and Advocate too,
For you He is pleading His merits and death,
With God interceding for sinners beneath.

Then let us submit His grace to receive,
Fall down at His feet and gladly believe:
We all are forgiven for Jesus’ sake:
Our title to Heaven His merits we take.

I was lost in sin when Jesus found me,
But He rescued me, all glory to His Name!
And the cords of worldly pleasure bound me,
Till He saved me from sin and shame.

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’Twas a glad day when Jesus found me,
When His strong arms were thrown around me;
When my sins He buried in the deepest sea,
And my soul He filled with joy and victory.
’Twas a glad day, O hallelujah!
’Twas a glad day He claimed His own.
I will shout a glad hosanna in glory
When I see Him upon His throne.

O the bells of heaven now are ringing,
For I hear their tones within my ransomed soul;
And my heart is filled with joyful singing
Since the Savior has made me whole.

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O the joy when we shall meet in glory,
In the mansions of my Father’s home above;
And through endless ages tell the story
Of the Savior’s redeeming love.

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Good news! good news of a soul redeemed,
A penitent forgiven!
Good news! good news that another friend
Is on the way to Heaven!

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Rejoice! rejoice! there’s joy today
In the land beyond the river;
Another gem for His diadem,
A star to shine forever.

Good news! good news that another heart
Has learned redemption’s story;
Good news! good news that another voice
Will sing His praise in glory.

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Good news! good news that another life
Will show the power of Jesus,
Will prove the might of the saving grace
Which daily, hourly frees us.

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Good news! good news that another hand
Will precious seed be sowing,
Another guide to lead straying feet
Where living streams are flowing.

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Ring the bells of Heaven! There is joy today,
For a soul, returning from the wild!
See, the Father meets him out upon the way,
Welcoming His weary, wandering child.

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Glory! Glory! How the angels sing:
Glory! Glory! How the loud harps ring!
’Tis the ransomed army, like a mighty sea,
Pealing forth the anthem of the free.

Ring the bells of Heaven! There is joy today,
For the wanderer now is reconciled;
Yes, a soul is rescued from his sinful way,
And is born anew a ransomed child.

Refrain

Ring the bells of Heaven! Spread the feast today!
Angels, swell the glad triumphant strain!
Tell the joyful tidings, bear it far away!
For a precious soul is born again.

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There is sound of rejoicing around the great throne,
A whisper of myriad wings;
For the foe that accuseth us lies cast down,
And the choir of angels sings—

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Salvation, and honor, and majesty be,
Lord of all power and might unto Thee.

And the soul may approach to her God without dread,
In moment of praise of prayer;
“Fear ye not,” the bright angels of God have said,
“Glad tidings of joy we bear.”

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But the hour draweth nigh when the angel shall stand
With foot on the silent shore;
By the Lord he shall swear, as he lifts his hand,
And that Time shall be no more.

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And the thunders shall roll, and the dead, great and small,
At the throne of the Judge shall stand;
And the song shall re sound thro’ the heav’nly hall,
Of the saints at God’s right hand.

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When a sinner comes, as a sinner may,
There is joy, there is joy;
When he turns to God in the Gospel way,
There is joy, there is joy.

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There is joy among the angels,
And their harps with music ring,
When a sinner comes repenting,
Bending low before the King.

When a soul is born in the kingdom bright,
There is joy, there is joy;
When it walks by faith in the Gospel light,
There is joy, there is joy.

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When a pilgrim comes to the river wide,
There is joy, there is joy;
When he dwells secure on the other side,
There is joy, there is joy.

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There was joy in Heaven,
There was joy in Heaven,
When this goodly world to frame
The Lord of might and mercy came;
Shouts of joy were heard on high,
And the stars sang from the sky,
Glory to God in Heav’n.

There was joy in Heaven,
There was joy in Heaven,
When the billows heaving dark,
Sank around the stranded ark,
And the rainbow’s watery span
Spake of mercy, hope to man,
And peace with God in Heav’n.

There was joy in Heaven,
There was joy in Heaven,
When of love the midnight beam
Dawned on the towers of Bethlehem,
And along the echoing hill
Angels sang, “On earth good will,
And glory in the Heav’n!”

There was joy in Heaven,
There was joy in Heaven,
When the soul that went astray
Turns to Christ, the living Way,
And, by grace of Heav’n subdued,
Breathes a prayer of gratitude,
Oh, there is joy in Heav’n.

Why do the holy angels sing?
Why do the heav’nly arches ring
With anthems sweet from seraphs bright,
With glittering crowns and robes of white?

Refrain

They sing of the Lamb that was slain,
The Savior that lives again,
The Root and the Offspring of David,
The bright and Morning Star!

Glory to Thee, our God, they cry,
Maker of earth, and sea, and sky,
To Thee our highest strains belong,
Thou great Inspirer of our song.

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Beautiful world where all is bright,
Rivers of gold and fields of light,
In murmured tones of joy prolong
The echo of the angels’ song.

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Well may the holy angels sing,
Well may the heav’nly arches ring,
With anthems sweet from choirs above,
They sing of God, and God is love.

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Afflictions, though they seem severe;
In mercy oft are sent;
They stopped the prodigal’s career,
And forced him to repent.

Although he no relentings felt
Till he had spent his store;
His stubborn heart began to melt
When famine pinched him sore.

“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,
And fall 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!”
I’ve heard enough, he 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, but 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 that come.

Are you coming home, ye wandr’ers,
Whom Jesus died to win,
All footsore, lame and weary,
Your garments stained with sin;
Will you seek the blood of Jesus
To wash your garments white;
Will you trust His precious promise,
Are you coming home tonight?

Refrain

Are you coming home tonight,
Are you coming home tonight,
Are you coming home to Jesus,
Out of darkness into light?
Are you coming home tonight,
Are you coming home tonight,
To your loving, heav’nly Father,
Are you coming home tonight?

Are you coming home, ye lost ones?
Behold your Lord doth wait;
Come, then no longer linger,
Come ere it be too late;
Will you come and let Him save you,
O trust His love and might;
Will you come while He is calling,
Are you coming home tonight?

Refrain

Are you coming home, ye guilty,
Who bear the load of sin;
Outside you’ve long been standing,
Come now and venture in;
Will you heed the Savior’s promise,
And dare to trust Him quite;
“Come unto Me,” saith Jesus,
Are you coming home tonight?

Refrain

Vile and sinful tho’ my heart may be,
Fully trusting Lord, I come to Thee;
Thou hast pow’r to cleanse and make me free,
I am coming home.

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Coming home, coming home,
No longer in the path of sin to roam;
I’m coming home, coming home,
Lord Jesus, I am coming home.

Like a father seeks a wayward child,
Thou hast sought me o’er the desert wild,
Sick and helpless, by my sin defiled,
I am coming home.

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Pleading tenderly, His voice I hear,
Why should I refuse a friend so dear?
He will take away my guilt and fear,
I am coming home.

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Precious blood of Jesus, may its flow
Cleanse from evil, wash me white as snow;
There is hope alone in Thee, I know,
I am coming home.

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Tell my mother what her boy has done,
God has spoken to her wayward son;
To be faithful till my crown is won,
I am coming home.

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I have heard the welcome story
Of redemption, full and free;
I have wandered, O my Father,
But Thy child I long to be.

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I am coming home to Thee,
Coming home to Thee;
I have heard the invitation,
And I’m coming home to Thee,
I am coming home to Thee,
Coming home to Thee;
I have heard the invitation,
And I’m coming home to Thee.

I have heard the welcome story
And it makes my heart rejoice;
I have heard the gentle pleading
Of the Spirit’s warning voice.

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I am coming, gladly coming,
For I can no longer stay
From Thy loving arms of mercy,
And Thy precious fold, away.

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Jesus, I am coming home today, for
I have found there’s joy in Thee alone;
From the path of sin I turn away; now
I am coming home.

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Jesus, I am coming home today,
Never, never more from Thee to stray;
Lord, I now accept Thy precious promise,
I am coming home.

Many years my heart has strayed from Thee, and
Now repentant to Thy throne I come;
Jesus opened up the way for me; now
I am coming home.

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O the misery my sin has caused me,
Naught but pain and sorrow I have known;
Now I seek Thy saving grace and mercy;
I am coming home.

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Fully trusting in Thy precious promise,
With no righteousness to call my own,
Pleading nothing but the blood of Jesus,
I am coming home.

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Now I seek the cross where Jesus died! For
All my sins His blood will still atone,
Flowing o’er till ev’ry stain is covered;
I am coming home.

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Father, I scarcely dare to pray,
So clear I see, now it is done,
How I have wasted half my day,
And left my work but just begun.
So clear I see that things I thought
Were right or harmless were a sin;
So clear I see that I have sought,
Unconscious, selfish aims to win.

So clear I see that I have hurt
The souls I might have helped to save;
That I have slothful been, inert,
Deaf to the calls Thy leaders gave.
In outskirts of Thy kingdoms vast
Father, the humblest spot give me;
Set me the lowliest task Thou hast,
Let me repentant work for Thee.

Like a wayward child I wandered
From my Father’s house away,
But I hear His voice entreating,
And I’m coming home today.

Refrain

Coming, coming home,
Coming, coming home,
For I can no longer roam;
I am sad and broken hearted,
And I’m coming, coming home!

I have wandered in the darkness,
And my path was lone and drear,
But my Father did not leave me,
He was watching ever near.

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O the rapture that awaits me
When I reach my Father’s door!
Once within its blest enclosure,
I am safe forevermore.

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I will ask Him to forgive me
For the wrong that I have done,
To receive, accept and bless me,
Through His well belovèd Son.

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I’ve wandered far away from God,
Now I’m coming home;
The paths of sin too long I’ve trod,
Lord, I’m coming home.

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Coming home, coming home,
Nevermore to roam,
Open wide Thine arms of love,
Lord, I’m coming home.

I’ve wasted many precious years,
Now I’m coming home;
I now repent with bitter tears,
Lord, I’m coming home.

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I’m tired of sin and straying, Lord,
Now I’m coming home;
I’ll trust Thy love, believe Thy Word,
Lord, I’m coming home.

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My soul is sick, my heart is sore,
Now I’m coming home;
My strength renew, my hope restore,
Lord, I’m coming home.

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My only hope, my only plea,
Now I’m coming home;
That Jesus died, and died for me.
Lord, I’m coming home.

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I need His cleansing blood, I know,
Now I’m coming home;
O wash me whiter than the snow,
Lord, I’m coming home.

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Lord, to Thee I make confession;
I have sinned and gone astray,
I have multiplied transgression,
Chosen for myself my way.
Led by Thee to see my errors,
Lord, I tremble at Thy terrors.

Yet, though conscience’s voice appall me,
Father, I will seek Thy face;
Tho’ Thy child I dare not call me,
Yet receive me to Thy grace.
Do not for my sins forsake me;
Do not let Thy wrath o’ertake me.

For Thy Son did suffer for me,
Gave Himself to rescue me,
Died to heal me and restore me,
Reconciled me unto Thee.
’Tis alone His cross can vanquish
These dark fears and soothe this anguish.

Then on Him I cast my burden,
Sink it in the depths below.
Let me know Thy gracious pardon,
Wash me, make me white as snow.
Let Thy Spirit leave me never;
Make me only Thine forever.

People of the living God,
I have sought the world around;
Paths of sin and sorrow trod,
Peace and comfort nowhere found:
Now to you my spirit turns—
Turns a fugitive unblest;
Brethren, where your altar burns,
Oh, receive me into rest.

Lonely I no longer roam
Like the cloud, the wind, the wave;
Where you dwell shall be my home,
Where you die shall be my grave;
Mine the God Whom you adore;
Your Redeemer shall be mine;
Earth can fill my soul no more—
Every idol I resign.

Tell me not of gain and loss,
Ease, enjoyment, pomp, and pow’r;
Welcome poverty and cross,
Shame reproach, affliction’s hour.
“Follow Me”—I know Thy voice;
Jesus, Lord, Thy steps I see;
Now I take Thy yoke by choice,
Light Thy burden now to me.

Pilgrim, burdened with thy sin,
Come the way to Zion’s gate:
There, till mercy lets thee in,
Knock, and weep, and watch, and wait.
Knock—He knows the sinner’s cry;
Weep—He loves the mourner’s tears;
Watch, for saving grace is nigh;
Wait, till heavenly light appears.

Hark, it is the Bridegroom’s voice:
“Welcome, pilgrim to thy rest!”
Now within the gate rejoice,
Safe, and sealed, and bought, and blest
Safe, from all the lures of vice;
Sealed, by signs the chosen know;
Bought by love, and life the price;
Blest, the mighty debt to owe.

Holy pilgrim, what for thee
In a world like this remain?
From thy guarded breast shall flee
Fear, and shame, and doubt, and pain;
Fear, the hope of Heav’n shall fly;
Shame, from glory’s view retire;
Doubt, in certain rapture die;
Pain, in endless bliss expire.

Out in the wilderness wild and drear,
Sadly I’ve wandered for many a year,
Driven by hunger and filled with fear,
I will arise and go;
Backward with sorrow my steps to trace,
Seeking my heavenly Father’s face,
Willing to take but a servant’s place,
I will arise and go.

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Back to my Father and home,
Back to my Father and home,
I will arise and go
Back to my Father and home.

Why should I perish in dark despair,
Here where there’s no one to help or care,
When there is shelter and food to spare?
I will arise and go;
Deeply repenting the wrong I’ve done,
Worthy no more to be called a son,
Hoping my Father His child may own,
I will arise and go.

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Sweet are the memories that come to me,
Faces of loved ones again I see,
Visions of home where I used to be,
I will arise and go;
Others have gone who had wandered, too,
They were forgiven, were clothed anew,
Why should I linger with home in view?
I will arise and go.

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O that I never had gone astray!
Life was all radiant with hope one day,
Now all its treasures I’ve thrown away,
Yet I’ll arise and go;
Something is saying, “God loves you still,
Tho’ you have treated His love so ill,”
I must not wait, for the night grows chill,
I will arise and go.

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You have wandered far on the desert lone,
And you face an awful fate,
For a storm is near and the night comes on—
Take the home-path ere too late.

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Take the home-path, take the home-path,
Night is coming, do not wait;
Take the home-path, take the home-path,
Take the home-path ere too late.

You have been allured from the peaceful way
By your soul’s relentless foe;
Let the Savior true take your hand today,
For He knows the way to go.

Refrain

While the chance is yours turn your back to sin,
Seeking pardon, humbly bow;
You’ve a soul to save and a crown to win,
And the time to start is now.

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Th’abyss of many a former sin
Encloses me and bars me in;
Like billows my transgressions roll:
Be Thou the Pilot of my soul,
And to salvation’s harbor bring
Thou Savior and Thou glorious King.

My Father’s heritage abused,
Wasted by lust, by sin misused;
To shame and want and misery brought,
The slave to many a fruitless thought,
I cry to Thee, who lovest men,
O pity and receive again!

In hunger now, no more possessed,
Of that my portion bright and blest,
The exile and the alien see,
Who yet would fain return to Thee,
And save me, Lord, who seek to raise
To Thy dear love the hymn of praise!

With that blest thief my prayer I make,
“Remember” for Thy mercy’s sake!
With that poor publican I cry,
“Be merciful,” O God most high!
With that lost prodigal I fain
Back to my home would turn again!

Mourn, mourn, my soul, with earnest care,
And raise to Christ the contrite prayer;
“O Thou, who freely wast made poor,
My sorrows and my sins to cure,
Me, poor of all good works, embrace,
Enriching with Thy boundless grace!”

Father, again in Jesus’ Name we meet,
And bow in penitence beneath Your feet;
Again to You our feeble voices raise,
To sue for mercy, and to sing Your praise.

O we would bless You for Your ceaseless care,
And all Your works from day to day declare;
Is not our life with hourly mercies crowned?
Does not Your arm encircle us around?

Alas, unworthy of Your boundless love,
Too oft with careless feet from You we rove;
But now, encouraged by Your voice, we come,
Returning sinners to a Father’s home.

O by that Name in Whom all fulness dwells,
O by that love which ev’ry love excels,
O by that blood so freely shed for sin,
Open blest mercy’s gate and take us in.

Where is my wandering boy tonight—
The boy of my tenderest care,
The boy that was once my joy and light,
The child of my love and prayer?

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O where is my boy tonight?
O where is my boy tonight?
My heart o’erflows, for I love him, he knows;
O where is my boy tonight?

Once he was pure as morning dew,
As he knelt at his mother’s knee;
No face was as bright, no heart more true,
And none was so sweet as he.

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O could I see you now, my boy,
As fair as in olden time,
When prattle and smile made home a joy,
And life was a merry chime!

Refrain

Go for my wandering boy tonight;
Go search for him where you will;
But bring him to me with all his blight,
And tell him I love him still.

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O great God of nations, revive us, we pray,
Raise prodigal hearts to contrition today;
In pride have we turned from Your life giving Word,
Embracing the darkness while truth goes unheard.
Create deep within us a clean heart today,
Renew a right spirit, and teach us to say:
Awaken, my soul, and send anthems above,
To Him Who is yearning to bless you in love.

Forsake not Your people though far we do roam,
As hedonists, spendthrifts, abandoning home;
But finally, throwing our folly aside,
We see You are waiting with arms open wide.
We plead Your forgiveness, our Father, we pray,
O heal prideful blindness and teach us to say:
How mighty the love that can conquer our sin,
And open the door to the banquet within.

In faith and in gratitude, then, must we share
The good news of Jesus with lands everywhere,
With peoples still groping and stumbling in night;
For them You command us to send out the light.
To shout from the rooftops, proclaim o’er the wave,
That Christ has redeemed from the depths of the grave:
Pour out, then, Your Spirit, afresh in this hour,
Enable our tongues to speak out with Your power.

“Abba, Father!” We approach Thee
In our Savior’s precious Name;
We, Thy children, here assembled,
Now Thy promised blessing claim;
From our sins His blood hath washed us,
’Tis through Him our souls draw nigh,
And Thy Spirit, too, hath taught us,
“Abba, Father,” thus to cry.

Once as prodigals we wandered
In our folly far from Thee,
But Thy grace, o’er sin abounding,
Rescued us from misery;
Thou Thy prodigals hast pardoned,
Kissed us with a Father’s love,
Spread the festive board, and called us,
E’er to dwell with Thee above.

Clothed in garments of salvation,
At Thy table is our place,
We rejoice, and Thou rejoicest,
In the riches of Thy grace;
“It is meet,” we hear Thee saying,
“We should merry and be glad,
I have found My once lost children,
Now they live who once were dead.”

“Abba, Father!” all adore Thee,
All rejoice in Heav’n above,
While in us they learn the wonders
Of Thy wisdom, grace, and love;
Soon before Thy throne assembled,
All Thy children shall proclaim,
“Glory, everlasting glory,
Be to God and to the Lamb!”

God is calling the prodigal, come without delay,
Hear, O hear Him calling, calling now for thee.
Tho’ you’ve wandered so far from His presence, come today,
Hear His loving voice calling still.

Refrain

Calling now for thee, O weary prodigal, come;
Calling now for thee, O weary prodigal, come.

Patient, loving and tenderly still the Father pleads,
Hear, O hear Him calling, calling now for thee;
Oh! return while the Spirit in mercy intercedes,
Hear His loving voice calling still.

Refrain

Come, there’s bread in the house of the Father, and to spare,
Hear, O hear Him calling, calling now for thee;
Lo! the table is spread and the feast is waiting there,
Hear His loving voice calling still.

Refrain