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Play “The Prodigal Son”

Free same-meter accompaniment for The Prodigal Son (John Newton): organ, piano or guitar playing the tune ST. ANNE (William Croft) in four-part harmony, 7 verses, with the words on screen. Choose the key and speed, add an introduction, project the words on a TV, or practice your own choir part. Made for churches and home groups without a musician.

Sung here to ST. ANNE (William Croft), a Common Meter (8.6.8.6) tune — not necessarily the tune usually paired with this text. Any tune in the same meter fits the words.

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  1. 1Afflictions though they seem severe,
  2. In mercy oft are sent,
  3. They stopp’d the prodigal’s career,
  4. And caus’d him to repent.
  5. I’ll die no more for bread, he cried,
  6. Nor starve in foreign lands;
  7. My father’s house has large supplies,
  8. And bounteous are his hands.
  9. 2What have I gained by sin, he said,
  10. But hunger, shame and fear?
  11. My father’s house abounds with bread,
  12. While I am starving here.
  13. I’ll die no more for bread, he cried,
  14. Nor starve in foreign lands;
  15. My father’s house has large supplies,
  16. And bounteous are his hands.
  17. 3I’ll go and tell him all I’ve done,
  18. Fall down before his face,
  19. Unworthy to be called his son,
  20. I’ll seek a servant’s place.
  21. I’ll die no more for bread, he cried,
  22. Nor starve in foreign lands;
  23. My father’s house has large supplies,
  24. And bounteous are his hands.
  25. 4His father saw him coming back,
  26. He saw, and ran, and smiled,
  27. And threw his arms around the neck
  28. Of his rebellious child.
  29. I’ll die no more for bread, he cried,
  30. Nor starve in foreign lands;
  31. My father’s house has large supplies,
  32. And bounteous are his hands.
  33. 5Father, I’ve sinned, but O forgive!
  34. Enough! the father said;
  35. Rejoice, my house, my son’s alive,
  36. For whom I mourned as dead.
  37. I’ll die no more for bread, he cried,
  38. Nor starve in foreign lands;
  39. My father’s house has large supplies,
  40. And bounteous are his hands.
  41. 6Now let the fatted calf be slain,
  42. And spread the news around;
  43. My son was dead, and lives again;
  44. Was lost, but now is found.
  45. I’ll die no more for bread, he cried,
  46. Nor starve in foreign lands;
  47. My father’s house has large supplies,
  48. And bounteous are his hands.
  49. 7‘Tis thus the Lord His love reveals,
  50. To call poor sinners home;
  51. More than a father’s love He feels,
  52. And welcomes all that come.
  53. I’ll die no more for bread, he cried,
  54. Nor starve in foreign lands;
  55. My father’s house has large supplies,
  56. And bounteous are his hands.

About this music

ST. ANNE — William Croft. Setting: composite found in "The Lutheran Hymnary", 1913.. The score is from the Open Hymnal Project, copied from 'The Lutheran Hymnary', 1913, Hymn 261. Arrangement is composite, first half from "Hymns Ancient and Modern", 1869, Hymn 231. ed William Henry Monk Second half is from "The Hymnal Companion to the Book of Common Prayer", 1890, Hymn 279. ed. Charles Vincent, D.J. Wood, John Stainer; music and setting are in the public domain. The words above are from the hymnal cited on the The Prodigal Son page.

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