[Verse 1] Well, a poor boy took his father's bread and started down the road Started down the road Took all he had and started down the road Going out in this world, where God only knows And that'll be the way to get along [Verse 2] Well, poor boy spent all he had, famine come in the land Famine come in the land Spent all he had, and famine come in the land Said, "I believe I'll go and hire me to some man And that'll be the way I'll get along" [Verse 3] Well, man said, "I'll give you a job for to feed my swine For to feed my swine I'll give you a job for to feed my swine" Boy stood there and hung his head and cried Because that is no way to get along [Verse 4] Said, "I believe I'll ride, believe I'll go back home Believe I'll go back home Believe I'll ride, believe I'll go back home Or down the road as far as I can go And that'll be the way to get along" [Verse 5] Well, father said, "See my son coming after me Coming home to me" Father ran and fell down on his knees Said, "Sing and praise, Lord have mercy on me Mercy" [Verse 6] Oh, poor boy stood there, hung his head and cried Hung his head and cried Poor boy stood and hung his head and cried Said, "Father will you look on me as a child?" Yeah [Verse 7] Well, father said, "Eldest son, kill the fatted calf Call the family 'round Kill that calf and call the family 'round My son was lost but now he is found 'Cause that's the way for us to get along" Hey