You help make Hymnary.org possible.

In 2025, more than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources, and encouragement here. If Hymnary has meant something to you this year, would you take a moment to help sustain it? A gift of any size — and a note of encouragement, if you'd like to share one — directly supports the server costs, research, and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org (c/o Calvin University)
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for being part of this important online ministry resource.

186. The Wanderer’s Return

1 ‘Mid the cold, barren ways
I have wander’d for days,
Till my heart is o’erburdened with gloom,
And when starving for bread
With the swine I have fed,
While so far from my dear Father’s home.

There is room, there is room,
In my Father’s house there is room,
Many mansions there did my Lord prepare,
In my Father’s house there is room.

2 In His home are supplies—I’ll this moment arise
And return to my home far away,
There is bread and to spare
Which I know He will share,
With the sin-weary son long astray.

I’ll return, I’ll return,
To my Father’s house I’ll return,
There is Living Bread there the feast is spread,
To my Father’s house I’ll return.

3 O my Father, I come,
I am longing for home—
O receive and forgive me, I pray,
Just a servant to be,
I am coming to Thee—
And will never again from Thee stray.

I have come, I have come,
O receive and pardon, I pray,
Let me rest with Thee just a servant be,
Never more from Home go astray.

4 Hallelujah! He hears,
From afar He appears,
Lo! we meet, I am held to His breast;
He the lost one receives,
And from hunger relieves,
And He clothes me in raiment the best.

Now I know, He is mine!
I’ve been welcomed home by my Lord,
Safely on His breast, I receive sweet rest,
I will surely trust in His word.

5 Come, my brothers, from sin,
Come, a new life begin,
Nevermore in the byways to roam;
Seek the Father today,
He will meet you half way,
Sweetly pardon and welcome you home.

He’ll receive, He’ll forgive,
If you on His Son will believe
There’s a robe, ‘tis true, there’s a crown for you
If you only trust and believe.

Text Information
First Line: ‘Mid the cold, barren ways
Title: The Wanderer’s Return
Author: Harriet E. Jones
Refrain First Line: There is room, there is room
Language: English
Publication Date: 1897
Notes: Public Domain.
Tune Information
Name: [‘Mid the cold, barren ways]
Composer: J. Howard Entwisle
Notes: Public Domain.



Media
MIDI file: MIDI

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.