joy is like the rain

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I cannot come to the banquet

and Play...


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 pretty 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 invitations to his neighbours far and wide.
But when the meal was ready, each of them replied:

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 pretty sum.
Pray, hold me excused, 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!
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 pretty sum.
Pray, hold me excused, I cannot come.

When all the poor had assembled, there was still room to spare, 
So the master demanded:  "Go search everywhere,
To the highways and the byways, and force them to come in.
My table must be filled before the banquet can begin."

(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 pretty sum.
Pray, hold me excused, 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 --
When the Lord and Master calls us, be certain not to say:

I cannot come.
(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 pretty sum.
Pray, hold me excused, I cannot come.

---------------------------------

a hymn by American Medical Mission Sister Miriam Therese Winter, based on the parable of the wedding banquet, from Matthew 22.

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