CHORUS:
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 neighbors far and wide,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 calls 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.
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