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,
but when the meal was ready,
each of them replied.

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 calls us,
be certain not to say: