The Prodigal Son
Roy Acuff/Smoky Mountain Boys Lyrics
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To travel a land of [A] hunger and [D] pain
And [G] now I can see the [C] end of my [G] journey
I'm going to [D] heaven a-[G] gain.
I leave you the night, to solemnly pray
So try to repent and ask for forgiveness
We'll meet up in heaven, someday.
Goodbye to this world, with all its sorrows
Goodbye to the fields, that I used to roam
I'm going away where, life is eternal
My Shepherd is callin me home.
From out of the sky, He's coming to meet me
To wash all my sins and call me His own
His servants will bring, a ring for my finger
And never no more will I roam.
The lyrics to Roy Acuff's "The Prodigal Son" is a retelling of the Biblical parable about a son who leaves his home and squanders his inheritance on a life of excess and sin, only to return home after hitting rock bottom and being met with open arms by his forgiving father. In the song, the prodigal son is reflecting on his past mistakes and looking forward to his redemption in heaven. He acknowledges his previous waywardness and expresses his desire to do good and make up for his past actions. He asks for forgiveness and vows to live a life of repentance, hoping to one day meet his loved ones again in heaven.
The song's message is one of hope and redemption, emphasizing the idea that no matter how far one strays, it is always possible to find one's way back and be forgiven. The lyrics are reflective and introspective, with a tone of regret and longing for a better life. The song speaks to the human experience of making mistakes and facing the consequences of one's actions, but also the power of forgiveness and the possibility of a brighter future.
Line by Line Meaning
A Prodigal son once strayed from his father
There was a son who wandered away from his father
To travel a land of hunger and pain
He went to a place where he experienced both physical and emotional suffering
And now I can see the end of my journey
The son has come to the realization that his journey is coming to a close
I'm going to heaven again.
He is heading back to heaven once more.
I leave you the day, to help all your neighbors
The son is bidding his farewell to the people of the world before he heads back to heaven, urging them to spend their days helping others
I leave you the night, to solemnly pray
He gives them the night to reflect on their actions and pray
So try to repent and ask for forgiveness
He urges them to confess their sins and seek forgiveness
We'll meet up in heaven, someday.
He hopes to reunite with them in heaven at some point
Goodbye to this world, with all its sorrows
He bids adieu to the world, with all its misery
Goodbye to the fields, that I used to roam
He also parts ways with the lands where he previously wandered
I'm going away where, life is eternal
He is moving to a place where life is everlasting
My Shepherd is callin me home.
He feels called by his shepherd back to heaven
From out of the sky, He's coming to meet me
He expects to be met by his shepherd who will come from the sky
To wash all my sins and call me His own
The shepherd will absolve him of his sins and make him one of his people
His servants will bring, a ring for my finger
The shepherd's servants will present him with a ring for his finger
And never no more will I roam.
He will never wander again and will live a life of eternal happiness in heaven
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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