Turn Back My Child

[eddie46]

Does anyone have the story behind this song? I would like to have the lyrics also. I think it was recorded by Coleman McDuff many years ago.

[steveliu]

Hi eddie46,

Here are the lyrics:

1.
I strolled along the road one day
But it was not the narrow way
I met a stranger, He spoke to me
He said, "My child where goest thou?"
I said, "I seek the way just now
To worldly pleasures along the way."

2.
I said, "There is so much to see,
I cannot turn, I must be free;
New fields to conquer as on I go."
I never shall forget that day
How sad He looked as He turned away
He bowed His head and He dropped a tear.

Chorus
Turn back my child,
For the way is very steep;
The things you'll find out there
You cannot keep.
The way is filled with thorns,
And the things you'll find are cheap,
Turn back my child, come home with me.

3.
And as I journeyed on my way,
I stooped to pick a lovely spray,
But it was sorrow that looked so gay;
And then a dark cloud rolled my way,
It was then I heard my Savior say,
"Turn back my child, come home with me."

4.
And as He gently took my hand,
He lifted me from sinking sand;
He said, "My child, believe on Me."
And then such beauty I beheld
I'm sure that I can never tell,
Turn back my child, come home with me.

Repeat chorus.

Unfortunately, I don't have the story behind the song, but maybe someone else out there can help?

God bless,
Steve

[Guest]

Roger just passed away a few days ago, but i asked him about this very song about 12 years ago and he said it is out of print....John said it was written to Larry Gatlin back in the early 70's, or at least sung with him in mind, as Larry grew up in John's church, faith assembly of god in pasadena...btw, Roger's funeral will be this saturday March 18, 2017 at 1pm at same church....we lost colman and roger's wife barbara 4 years ago.

[doughamblin]

and yes, it was colman mcduff