1 Only a fond old father,
Facing the window pane;
Peering with anxious longing
Into the dark and rain:
Only the weary wand’rer,
Home from foreign shore,
Waiting outside, and fears to lift
The latch of his father’s door.

Refrain:
Lift now the latch, my boy, my boy,
And wait outside no more;
There’s love and rest for thee, my boy,
Within thy father’s door.

2 Only a father weeping,
Weeping o’er the dead,
Seeing no form approaching,
Hearing no manly tread;
Only a trembling wand’rer,
Longing for home once more;
Weary and worn, too faint to lift
The latch of his father’s door. [Refrain]

3 Only a restful homestead
Waits the returning one;
Only a heav’nly Father
Welcomes a long-lost son;
Only a weary sinner,
Broken in heart, and sore,
Almost persuaded now to lift
The latch of his father’s door. [Refrain]