PRODIGAL SON

Words: T.O. Chisholm
Music: George C. Stabbins

[Regarding audio version: Please refer to Verse 2 for correct melody to be used on all verses.]
[Dad's key: F]

Capo: 1st fret

Verse 1
(G)Out in the wilderness (Em)wild and drear,
(G)Sadly I wandered for (C)many a (D7)year,
(G)Driven by hunger, and (Em)filled with fear,
(G)I must a(D7)rise and (G)go.
(Em)Backward through sorrow my (B)steps to trace,
(Em)Seeking my (Am)Heavenly (B)Father's face,
(Em)Willing to take but a (C)servant's (B)place,
(Em)I should a(A)rise and (D)go.

Chorus 1
(G)Back to my Father a (D7)home,
Back to my Father and (G)home.
I should arise and (C)go
(G)Back to my (D7)Father and (G)home.

Verse 2
(G)Why should I perish in (Em)dark despair.
(G)Here where there's no one to (C)help nor (D)care,
(G)When there is shelter and (Em)food to spare?
(G)I will a(D7)rise and (G)go.
(Em)Deeply repenting these (B)wrongs I've done,
(Em)Worthy no (Am)more to be (B)called His son,
(Em)Hoping my Father His (C)child will (B)own,
(Em)I must a(A)rise and (D)go.

Verse 3
(G)Sweet are those memories that (Em)come to me,
(G)Faces of loved ones a(C)gain I (D7)see,
(G)Visions of home where I (Em)used to be,
(G)I will a(D7)rise and (G)go.
(Em)Others have gone who have (B)wandered, too,
(Em)They were for(Am)gotten, were (B)clothed anew.
(Em)Why should I linger with (C)home in (B)view?
(Em)I will a(A)rise and (D)go.

Verse 4
(G)Oh, that I never had (Em)gone astray.
(G)Life was all radiant with (C)hope that (D7)day,
(G)Now all its treasures I've (Em)thrown away,
But (G)I can a(D7)rise and (G)go.
(Em)Something is saying, "God (B)loves you still,
(Em)Though you have (Am)treated His (B)love so ill,
(Em)You must not linger, the (C)night grows (B)chill.
Oh, (Em)please a(A)rise and (D)go.

Chorus 2
(G)Back to your Father a (D7)home,
Back to your Father and (G)home.
You must arise and (C)go
(G)Back to your (D7)Father and (G)home."

Listing of All Chords in This Song