The Wedding Banquet


    Chorus:
    I cannot come to the banquet, 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 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:

  2. The master rose up in anger, called his servant 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 seem so crowded, and my table must be filled.
  3. When all the poor had assembled, there was still room to spare,
    so the master demanded: "Go search every where,
    to the highways and the byways and force them to come in.
    My table must be filled before the banquet can begin.

  4. Now God has written a lesson for the rest of the mankind;
    If we're slow a 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: