Lyrics
VERSE 1
Lord I confess that I’ve been a criminal
I’ve stolen your breath and sang my own song
And Lord I confess that I’m far from innocent
These shackles I wear I bought on my own
CHORUS
Scarlet sins had a crimson cost
You nailed my debt to that old rugged cross
An empty slate, at the empty grave
Thank God that stone was rolled (away)
VERSE 2
Lord I confess I’ve been the prodigal
Made for Your house but walked my own roads
Then Jesus came and tore down my prison walls
Death came to life when He called me by name
SPONTANEOUS
And I can see it now
Smiling in heaven
You and I, You and I
BRIDGE
I see bright crimson robes draped over the ashes
A wide open tomb where there should be a casket
The children are singing and dancing and laughing
The Father is welcoming, this is our homecoming
Roses in bloom pushed up from the embers
Rivers of tears flow from good times remembered
Families are singing and dancing and laughing
The Father is welcoming, this is our homecoming
Heaven joins in with a glorious sound
And the great cloud of witnesses all gather ‘round
‘Cause the ones that were lost are finally found
The Father is welcoming, this is our homecoming
TAG
Oh, oh, oh, oh
The Father is welcoming, this is our homecoming
SPONTANEOUS
Can you see it now, standing on the shores of heaven
You and I and our families
Singing and dancing and laughing
There’s truly no place like home, yeah
Jesus, You’re so beautiful
See Him face to face
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Homecoming” uses confession, redemption, and reunion to portray salvation as a return to the Father’s house. The opening verses acknowledge guilt and self-chosen bondage before turning to Christ’s cross, the empty grave, and a debt canceled. The prodigal image then expands into a scene of welcome: prison walls fall, the lost are found, and families gather in joy. Shame is not minimized, but it is answered by forgiveness and restored belonging.
Several biblical images shape the lyric. Luke 15:20-24 supplies the picture of the Father welcoming a returning child and celebrating one who was lost but is found. Colossians 2:14 closely matches the language of debt being nailed to the cross, while Hebrews 12:1 helps explain the gathered “cloud of witnesses.” The song’s vision moves from personal confession to communal celebration, presenting resurrection hope as both freedom from condemnation and arrival at home. Its strongest emphasis is the Father’s welcome made possible through Jesus, with the empty tomb standing as the central sign of new life.
Related Scripture
- Luke 15:20-24 The father welcomes the returning son and celebrates because the lost has been found.
- Colossians 2:14 The passage describes the record of debt being canceled and nailed to the cross.
- Hebrews 12:1 The verse describes believers as surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.