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.”

1. A certain man held a feast on a fine estate in town,

He laid a festive table, and wore a wedding gown,

He sent invitations to his neighbors 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.”

2. The master rose up in anger called his servants by name,

Said "Go into the town and 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.”

3. 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 call us be certain not to say.

“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.”