Both the words and the music for this song of invitation were written by William J. Kirkpatrick in 1892. He had a natural love and talent for music and received formal piano, voice, and harmony training. He served as a music director for several churches at various times. He began composing music for hymns and gospel songs and published his first book, “Devotional Melodies,” at the age of twenty-one. After serving as the Fife Major of the Ninety-First Regiment with the Pennsylvania Volunteers during the Civil War, Kirkpatrick entered the music-publishing business and published more than eighty songbooks. He composed the music for other well-known gospel songs, including “Jesus Saves,” “He Hideth My Soul,” and “Redeemed.”
Kirkpatrick often led the music during camp meetings and revivals. While leading the singing at a camp meeting in rural Pennsylvania, he noticed that the soloist always left after the music ended and never stayed to hear the sermon. Kirkpatrick suspected the young man wasn’t a Christian, and he began praying for him. As the days went by, Kirkpatrick felt the Lord leading him to write a special song for the soloist to sing. In the evening, he sang the new song, “Lord, I’m Coming Home.” The soloist stayed for the preaching and was the first to come forward to accept Christ as his Saviour.
“Lord, I’m Coming Home” expresses the thoughts of the prodigal son who returned to his father in the familiar parable found in Luke 15:13-20. William Kirkpatrick had no idea that this song, written for that one man, would help so many to recognize their need for a Saviour and find Jesus’ arms open wide to welcome them. It’s a reminder that Christ is always ready and able to save and restore repentant souls. I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee (Luke 15:18).
I’ve wandered far away from God,
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