The Wedding Banquet

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.”

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.”

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