Come home, come home, my child, O where art thou?
Break, break the chain that holds the captive now;
A mother’s heart is yearning still for thee,
And pleads in tears, “Come home, my child, to me.”

Refrain

Come home, come home,
O wand’ring child, come home;
From those who love thee well,
Why longer roam?

O blessèd time, when thou wast young and fair;
When days were bright, nor filled with anxious care:
Bright were my hopes of future years for thee,
But still I hope thou wilt come back to me.

Refrain

Canst thou, my child, forget a mother’s prayer,
Her tender love, her long unwearied care?
Come back, my child, whate’er thy faults may be;
I love thee still, and ever pray for thee.

Refrain