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(WESTERN VERSION) HERE come I to my own again, | |
Fed, forgiven and known again, | |
Claimed by bone of my bone again | |
And cheered by flesh of my flesh. | |
The fatted calf is dressed for me, | 5 |
But the husks have greater zest for me, | |
I think my pigs will be best for me, | |
So Im off to the Yards afresh. | |
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I never was very refined, you see, | |
(And it weighs on my brothers mind, you see) | 10 |
But theres no reproach among swine, dyou see, | |
For being a bit of a swine. | |
So Im off with wallet and staff to eat | |
The bread that is three parts chaff to wheat, | |
But glory be!theres a laugh to it, | 15 |
Which isnt the case when we dine. | |
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My father glooms and advises me, | |
My brother sulks and despises me, | |
And Mother catechises me | |
Till I want to go out and swear. | 20 |
And, in spite of the butlers gravity, | |
I know that the servants have it I | |
Am a monster of moral depravity, | |
And Im damned if I think its fair! | |
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I wasted my substance, I know I did, | 25 |
On riotous living, so I did, | |
But theres nothing on record to show I did | |
More than my betters have done. | |
They talk of the money I spent out there | |
They hint at the pace that I went out there | 30 |
But they all forget I was sent out there | |
Alone as a rich mans son. | |
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So I was a mark for plunder at once, | |
And lost my cash (can you wonder?) at once, | |
But I didnt give up and knock under at once, | 35 |
I worked in the Yards, for a spell, | |
Where I spent my nights and my days with hogs, | |
And shared their milk and maize with hogs, | |
Till, I guess, I have learned what pays with hogs | |
AndI have that knowledge to sell! | 40 |
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So back I go to my job again, | |
Not so easy to rob again, | |
Or quite so ready to sob again | |
On any neck thats around. | |
Im leaving, Pater. Good-bye to you! | 45 |
God bless you, Mater! Ill write to you
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I wouldnt be impolite to you, | |
But, Brother, you are a hound! | |
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