Joy! joy! joy! for the prodigal’s return;
He has come, he has come
To his Father’s house at last;
He was lost, he is found,
And the night of gloom is past.
Blessed hour of joy and communion sweet,
For his heart is full and his love complete;
His Father sees him and hastes to meet,
And bids him welcome home.
Joy! joy! joy! in the courts of heav’n resounding;
Joy! joy! joy! o’er the prodigal’s return;
Hark, the song! hark, the song!
‘Tis a joyful, joyful strain,
Welcome home, welcome home
To thy Father’s house again.
While his eye is dim with the falling tears
Of repented grief, over wasted years
The pard’ning voice of his Father cheers,
And bids him welcome home.
Joy! joy! joy! in the radiant fields of glory,
Joy! joy! joy! when wand’ring soul returns;
Let us haste, let us haste
While the morning sun is bright;
Jesus calls, Jesus calls,
To a land of love and light:
We will journey on till our pilgrim feet
Shall be found at last in the golden street:
Our glorious Saviour will smile to greet,
And bid us welcome home.
[chorus]
Joy! joy! joy! there is joy in heaven with the angels;
Joy! joy! joy! for the prodigal’s return.