[Chorus]
E
I cannot come!
A E
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now,
B E
I have married a wife, I have bought me a cow,
A E
I have fields and commitments, that cost a pretty sum,
B E
Pray hold me excused, I cannot come.
[Verse 1]
A E
A certain man held a feast on wide estate in town.
B E
He laid a festive table, He wore a wedding gown,
A E
He sent out invitations to his neighbors far and wide,
B E
But when the meal was ready each of them replied:
[Chorus]
E
I cannot come!
A E
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now,
B E
I have married a wife, I have bought me a cow,
A E
I have fields and commitments, that cost a pretty sum,
B E
Pray hold me excused, I cannot come.
[Verse 2]
A E
The master rose up in anger called his servants by name;
B E
Said, "Go into the town; fetch the blind and the lame.
A E
Fetch the peasant and the pauper for this I have willed:
B E
My banquet must be crowded, and my table must be filled."
[Chorus]
E
I cannot come!
A E
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now,
B E
I have married a wife, I have bought me a cow,
A E
I have fields and commitments, that cost a pretty sum,
B E
Pray hold me excused, I cannot come.
[Verse 3]
A E
When all the poor had assembled there was still room to spare,
B E
So the master demanded, "Go search everywhere;
A E
Search the highways and the by ways, and force them to come in
B E
My table must be filled before the banquet can begin."
[Chorus]
E
I cannot come!
A E
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now,
B E
I have married a wife, I have bought me a cow,
A E
I have fields and commitments, that cost a pretty sum,
B E
Pray hold me excused, I cannot come.
[Verse 4]
A E
Now God has written a lesson for the rest of mankind;
B E
If we are slow in responding, He may leave us behind.
A E
He's preparing a banquet for that great and glorious day,
B E
When the Lord and Master calls us, be certain not to say:
[Chorus]
E
I cannot come!
A E
I cannot come to the banquet, don't trouble me now,
B E
I have married a wife, I have bought me a cow,
A E
I have fields and commitments, that cost a pretty sum,
B E
Pray hold me excused, I cannot come.
