The Prodigal Son

Lyrics

[Intro] Here I come into my own again Fed, forgiven, and known again Claimed by bone of my bone again And cheered by flesh of my flesh The fatted calf is dressed for me But the husks have greater zest for me I think my pigs will be best for me So I'm off to the Yards afresh [Verse 1] I never was very refined, you see (And it weighs on my brother's mind, you see) But there's no reproach among swine, you see For being a bit of a swine So I'm off with my wallet and staff to eat The bread that is three parts chaff to wheat But glory be! – there's a laugh to it Which isn't the case when we dine [Verse 2] My father glooms and advises me My brother sulks and despises me And Mother catechizes me Till I want to stand up and swear And, in spite of the butler's gravity I know that the servants have it I Am a monster of moral depravity And damned if I think it's fair! [Verse 3] I wasted my substance, I know I did On riotous living, well, so I did But there's nothing on record to show I did Any worse than my betters have done They talk of the money I spent out there— They hint at the pace that I went out there— But they all forget I was sent out there Alone as a rich man's son [Verse 4] So I was a mark for plunder at once And lost my cash (no wonder) at once But I didn't give up and knock under at once I worked in the Yards, for a spell Where I spent my nights and my days with hogs And I shared their milk and maize with hogs Till, I guess, I have learned what pays with hogs And I have that knowledge to sell! [Outro] So back I go to my job again Not so easy to rob again Or quite so ready to sob again On any old neck that's around I'm leaving, Father. Good-bye to you! God bless you, Mother! I'll write to you! I wouldn't be impolite to you But, Brother, you are a hound!