There are two hymns that I love that focus on the parable of the prodigal son. The first (“Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy”) does so only in part and was written by Joseph Hart in 1759. I do not have any publication or author information on the second, entitled “The Prodigal.” Both should be sung to a tune from “The Southern Harmony” called “Restoration.” A PDF of this tune in four-part harmony can be had by clicking the link below. It is a lovely tune and one of my favorites . . . perfect for either hymn.
Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy
Joseph Hart, pub.1759
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and pow’r.
Refrain:
I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
Oh, there are ten thousand charms.
Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.
Come, ye weary, heavy-laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all.
View Him prostrate in the garden;
On the ground your Maker lies;
On the bloody tree behold Him;
Sinner, will this not suffice?
Lo! th’ incarnate God ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood:
Venture on Him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude.
Let not conscience make you linger,
Not of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.
Below is a contemporary version of this song. If the player does not appear, just click on this link.
Come Ye Sinners – Robbie Seay …
The Prodigal
Verse 1
Far away from my loving father, I had wandered wayward wild
fearing only lest his anger overtake his sinful child.
Verse 2
Feign I fed on the husks around me till to myself I came and said.
Plenty have my fathers servants perish I for want of bread
Refrain 1
I will arise though faint and weary home to my father I will go.
Woe is me that ere I wander ah, that I such need should know
Verse 3
Then I rose, came to my father, grace amazing, love unknown,
he beheld me, ran, embraced me, pardoned, welcomed me back home
Refrain 2
I will arise and go to Jesus. He will embrace me in his arms
In the arms of my dear Savior, O there are ten thousand charms.