My Wandering Boy

1 Out in the cold world and far away from home,
Somebody's boy is wandering alone;
No one to guide him or keep his footsteps right,
Somebody's boy is homeless tonight.

Chorus:
Bring back my boy, my wandering boy,
Far, far away wherever he may be;
Tell him his mother with faded cheeks and hair,
At the old home, is waiting him there.

2 O could I see him and fold him to my breast,
Gladly I'd close my eyes and be at rest;
There is no other that's left to give me joy,
Bring back my boy, my wandering boy. [Refrain]

3 Out in the hallway, there stands a vacant chair,
Yonder the shoes my darling used to wear;
Empty the cradle, the one he loved so well,
Just how he's missed, there's no one can tell. [Refrain]

4 Well I remember the parting words he said,
"We will meet again where tears are never shed;
There'll be no goodbyes in that bright land so fair,
When done with life, I'll meet you up there." [Refrain]

Source: The Harp of Glory: The Best Old Hymns, the Best New Hymns, the cream of song for all religious work and workship (With supplement) #149