The story of the prodigal son resonates with all of us on some level. Either we see ourselves as the prodigal, the older brother, or the longing father eagerly awaiting his son’s return. In the hymn “Lord, I’m Coming Home,” every worshiper remembers that moment we recognized our need for a savior and repented of our prodigal ways to find Jesus’ arms open wide to welcome us home.
This hymn not only looks back to the moment of our salvation but looks forward to the day when faith will be in sight. It looks forward to the day we will run into the arms of our waiting Father in glory. “Lord, I’m Coming Home” is a wonderful song to play at calls to repentance following a gospel message and at baptisms and funerals. It’s also a powerful hymn for personal worship and devotional times when we feel convicted of sin and use the time for confession and repentance. It’s a strong reminder that God is always waiting, always ready to receive us, and always powerful to restore and renew our souls.
What Are the Lyrics for “Lord I’m Coming Home”?
The first four verses of the hymn are what we usually find in most hymnals, and their words are as follows:
1 I’ve wandered far away from God,
Now I’m coming home;
The paths of sin too long I’ve trod,
Lord, I’m coming home.
Refrain:
Coming home, coming home,Nevermore to roam,
Open wide Thine arms of love,
Lord, I’m coming home.
2 I’ve wasted many precious years,
Now I’m coming home;
I now repent with bitter tears,
Lord, I’m coming home. [Refrain]
3 I’ve tired of sin and straying, Lord,
Now I’m coming home;
I’ll trust Thy love, believe Thy word,
Lord, I’m coming home. [Refrain]
4 My soul is sick, my heart is sore,
Now I’m coming home;
My strength renew, my hope restore,
Lord, I’m coming home. [Refrain]
Two other verses not always published with the four above are:
My only hope, my only plea,
Now I’m coming home;
That Jesus died, and died for me,
Lord, I’m coming home.
I need His cleansing blood I know,
Now I’m coming home;
Oh, wash me whiter than the snow,
Lord, I’m coming home.
Donnie Sumner - Lord, I'm Coming Home from bill-and-gloria-gaither on GodTube.
Who Wrote “Lord I’m Coming Home”?
“Lord, I’m Coming Home” was written by William James Kirkpatrick and is sometimes known by its first line, “I’ve Wandered Far Away from God.” It’s listed in most hymnals as “Lord, I’m Coming Home.”
Kirkpatrick was born into a musical family, learning much from his father, who taught music. Wiliam learned a trade and spent some years as a carpenter before leaving for a lifetime as a musician and hymnist. He became the musical director at Grace Methodist Church in Philadelphia and composed over 100 hymns. One of his most well-known hymns is the Christmas carol, Away in the Manger. He composed music for hymns such as “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It,” “‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,” and “He Hideth My Soul.”
Shortly after marrying his first wife, Kirkpatrick enlisted as a Fife-Major in the 91st Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers. This was in 1861, the start of the American Civil War. He left the service in 1862 when his position was eliminated and worked some time as a carpenter. Kirkpatrick’s wife died in 1878, but he married again in 1893. William’s musical compositions grace many beloved hymns, and he lived a full and varied life.
What Inspired the Hymn “Lord I’m Coming Home”?
“Lord, I’m Coming Home” is unusual in that it was inspired by and written for one person.
As the story goes, Williams wrote the hymn when he attended a series of Methodist Camp Meetings in Pennsylvania. He was moved to pray for the unsaved soloist who performed each night. One evening, the lyrics and tune to this song came to William as he prayed. He wrote them down and handed them to the soloist. The soloist sang the song the next night and, while singing the song, felt inspired to stay for the sermon. Following the sermon, the soloist responded to the altar call and received Christ.
In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus told the story known as “The Prodigal Son.” A wealthy father had two sons. The younger son grew impatient about his inheritance and asked his father if he could receive it early. The father obliged, even though the request was shocking. It was tantamount to suggesting he wished his father would hurry up and die.
The son took his inheritance and squandered it on reckless living. When it was all spent, a famine hit the land, and the son hired himself out to a man who charged him with feeding his pigs. The young man envied the pigs’ food, and that envy brought him to his senses.
He decided to return to his father and ask to be hired as one of his father’s servants. At least then, he reasoned, he’d be allowed to eat with the pigs. When the son neared his home, his father saw him even as he was still a ways off. Moved by compassion, the father ran to greet him and welcome the son home. The son repented of his actions and requested to be hired as a hand, but the father insisted on treating him like the son he loved, clothing him in the best clothing, and killing a fatted calf for a feast in celebration of his return.
Now the older son, who had worked faithfully for the father all this time, heard of his brother’s return and his father’s welcome. Rather than being happy for his father and brother, the older son envied the feast and resented the brother’s welcome. He refused to enter the feast, and his father came outside to plead with him to join them in the celebration. Jesus ended the parable with this cliffhanger. Would the older son repent of his envy and join the feast? Or will it turn out that the older son was another son who only cared about his inheritance (he just chose to stay and work for it)? Surely, if he cared for the father, he would soften his heart and rejoice in his brother’s return.
Jesus leaves us wondering, perhaps to encourage the hard-hearted religious leaders of the day to answer the question in their own hearts as many “prodigals” came to Jesus and became disciples.
What an appropriate inspiration for this soloist for whom the hymn was composed. It would seem this soloist was involved enough in the faith community to know the songs and be asked to sing. He was likely living a “good” life, not a reckless one like the prodigal son—at least not that others would know or who would invite him to sing? Yet, somehow, the gospel hadn’t penetrated the surface of the soloist’s life into his heart, not until God worked through this song and the evening’s message.
Further Reading:
Who Wrote the Hymn 'Bless the Lord O My Soul'?
The Powerful Story Behind the Hymn "I Love to Tell the Story"
Who Wrote The Hymn 'No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus'?
Who Wrote "This Is the Day that the Lord Has Made"?
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Iknuitsin Studio
