Chorus:
I cannot come,
I cannot come to the banquet,
Don’t trouble me now,
I have married a wife
I have bought me a cow,
I have fields and commitments.
That cost a prety sum,
Pray, hold me excused,
I cannot come.
- A certain man held a feast,
On his fine estate in town.
He laid a festive table,
And wore a wedding gown,
He sent in invitations,
To his neighbours far and wide,
But when the meal was ready,
Each of them replied:
I cannot come. - The master rose up in anger,
Called his servants by name, said
“Go into the town,
Fetch the blind and the lame,
Fetch the peasant and the pauper,
For this I have willed,
My banquet must be crowded,
And my table must be filled.”
I cannot come. - When all the poor had assembled,
There was still room to spare,
So the master demanded;
“Go search every where,
To the highways and byways,
And force them to come in,
My table must be filled,
Before the banquet can begin.”
I cannot come. - Now God has written a lesson,
For the rest of mankind,
If we’re slow in responding,
He may leave us behind,
He’s preparing a banquet,
For that great and glorious day,
Be certain not to say:
I cannot come.