Back To Me
Triumphant Quartet Lyrics
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An angry young man stood up and put his foot down
Said this life I lead ain't livin' - I want to make it on my own
Give me what you promised, dad. I'll pack my thing and go
Just before he started down that open road
A broken hearted father said, 'Boy, you need to know'
Son, you can run where you want to - you can do as you please
My love will never falter, my prayer will always be
That every step you take brings you back to me
So the son went on his way and it didn't take long
For the money and his so called friends to be gone
He wound up just a beggar eatin' with the swine
Shivering in the cold the night his daddy crossed his mind
He'll never take me back - I've gone too far
He just didn't understand the love in his Father's heart
Child, you can run where you want to - you can do as you please
But it won't change the fact that you belong to Me
My love will never falter, My prayer will always be
That every step you take brings you back to Me
I pray that every step you take brings you back to Me
The song “Back to Me” by Triumphant Quartet is a parable about a son who leaves his father’s home in search of independence and adventure, only to run out of money and be reduced to eating with pigs. The father in the story symbolizes God, whose love for his children is unwavering and unconditional. The lyrics poignantly capture the journey of the son and the wisdom of the father, revealing the depth of forgiveness, compassion and reconciliation that a father’s love can bring.
The song opens with a description of a young man in a desert town who wants to leave his home and live on his own. He is angry and resentful, feeling like he has been shortchanged by his father. In response, his father shares a message of love and hope, telling him that he belongs to him no matter where he goes, and that he is loved unconditionally. However, the son leaves home anyway, and soon finds himself in dire straits. He spends his money recklessly and loses all of his friends. He eventually ends up living among the pigs, hungry and alone. It is at this point that he realizes the error of his ways and longs to return home, but he is afraid that his father will not take him back after all that he has done. Finally, the father intervenes, telling his son that he belongs to him and that he always has, no matter what.
The message of “Back to Me” is one of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of love to heal even the most broken relationships. The lyrics remind listeners that no matter where they go or what they do, they are never outside the reach of love and grace. This message has resonated with many people who have struggled with feelings of guilt or shame over past mistakes, but who long for forgiveness and reconciliation with those they love.
Line by Line Meaning
A long time ago in a tiny desert town
The story being narrated dates back to a remote and small settlement located amidst a desert.
An angry young man stood up and put his foot down
A young man expressed his fury and resolved to change his life.
Said this life I lead ain't livin' - I want to make it on my own
The young man finds the current state of his existence abysmal and declares his intent to strive for a better life.
Give me what you promised, dad. I'll pack my thing and go
The young man asks his father to fulfill his promises so that he may move away and live independently.
Just before he started down that open road
As the young man prepared to depart, just before he walked away.
A broken hearted father said, 'Boy, you need to know'
A father who is saddened by his son's decision decides to offer him parting advice.
Son, you can run where you want to - you can do as you please
The father tells his son that he is free to make his own choices regarding his life.
But it won't change the fact that you belong to me
Though the son may depart, he remains an integral part of his father's life.
My love will never falter, my prayer will always be
The father declares his unwavering love for his son and his commitment to pray for him.
That every step you take brings you back to me
The father hopes that his son's journey through life leads him back to his father.
So the son went on his way and it didn't take long
The young man went ahead and embarked on his journey without any delays.
For the money and his so called friends to be gone
The son's companions and wealth quickly abandoned him.
He wound up just a beggar eatin' with the swine
The young man reaches a low point in life and is reduced to begging while dining with pigs.
Shivering in the cold the night his daddy crossed his mind
The recollection of his father's love haunts him on a cold and lonely night.
He'll never take me back - I've gone too far
The son feels that he has traveled too far and is beyond the scope of his father's homecoming.
He just didn't understand the love in his Father's heart
The son comes to the realization that he failed to comprehend the depth of his father's affection.
Child, you can run where you want to - you can do as you please
The father addresses his son as a child and reminds him once more of his freedom to make his own choices.
But it won't change the fact that you belong to Me
The son remains a cherished part of his father's life regardless of his actions.
My love will never falter, My prayer will always be
The father reiterates his commitment to his son's well-being and his prayer for his safe return.
That every step you take brings you back to Me
The father prays that every footstep his son takes brings him closer to his father's embrace.
I pray that every step you take brings you back to Me
The father concludes the song by reiterating his prayer for his son's safe return.
Writer(s): monty lane allen, robert arthur
Contributed by Aubrey E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.