John Newton wrote the hymn Amazing Grace, arguably the most well-known hymn in the English language. But he also wrote many other hymns, including this one entitled The Prodigal’s Return:
Afflictions though they seem severe,
In mercy oft are sent,
They stopp’d the prodigal’s career,
And caus’d him to repent.
Chorus:
I’ll die no more for bread, he cried,
Nor starve in foreign lands;
My father’s house has 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.
Chorus:
I’ll die no more for bread, he cried,
Nor starve in foreign lands;
My father’s house has large supplies,
And bounteous are his hands.
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.
Chorus:
I’ll die no more for bread, he cried,
Nor starve in foreign lands;
My father’s house has large supplies,
And bounteous are his hands.
His father saw him coming back,
He saw, and ran, and smiled,
And threw his arms around the neck
Of his rebellious child.
Chorus:
I’ll die no more for bread, he cried,
Nor starve in foreign lands;
My father’s house has large supplies,
And bounteous are his hands.
Father, I’ve sinned, but O forgive!
Enough! the father said;
Rejoice, my house, my son’s alive,
For whom I mourned as dead.
Chorus:
I’ll die no more for bread, he cried,
Nor starve in foreign lands;
My father’s house has large supplies,
And bounteous are his hands.
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.
Chorus:
I’ll die no more for bread, he cried,
Nor starve in foreign lands;
My father’s house has large supplies,
And bounteous are his hands.
‘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.
Chorus:
I’ll die no more for bread, he cried,
Nor starve in foreign lands;
My father’s house has large supplies,
And bounteous are his hands.