Josiah Queen - The Prodigal Lyrics
Lyrics
I've been sick and tired
Of being sick and tired
Searching far and wide
For something that feels real
I need something that feels real
I don't wanna lose my soul
Chasing after things that don't lead
Me straight to you, and
I'm lost in the feeling
That I ain't from this world
But Going Back to Eden
Ain't gonna be easy
But it leads me straight to you
Now I'm running home
Like the Prodigal
I don't need the money
I don't want the fame
I don't want what I can't take with me in the grave
Oh, and I don't wanna lose my soul
Chasing after things that don't lead
Me straight to you, and
I'm lost in the feeling
That I ain't from this world
But Going Back to Eden
Ain't gonna be easy
But it leads me straight to you
Now I'm running home
Like the Prodigal
I don't wanna lose my soul
Chasing after things that don't lead
Me straight to you, and
I don't wanna lose my gaze
When I meet you face-to-face
Well done, welcome home
Now I'm running home
Like the prodigal
I'm lost in the feeling
That I ain't from this world
But Going Back to Eden
Ain't gonna be easy
But it leads me straight to you
Now I'm running home
Like the Prodigal
Lost in the feeling
That I ain't from this world
But Going Back to Eden
Ain't gonna be easy
But it leads me straight to you
Now I'm running home
Like the Prodigal
Video
Josiah Queen-The Prodigal (Official Lyric Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
Josiah Queen's "The Prodigal," released as part of the Deluxe Edition of his album of the same name on June 2nd, 2023, is a deeply resonant exploration of spiritual longing and the arduous but ultimately rewarding journey back to God. The song taps into a universal human experience, that of feeling disconnected and searching for authenticity, a feeling articulated by Queen as being "sick and tired of being sick and tired." This initial sentiment powerfully reflects the restlessness often found in Ecclesiastes, particularly the repeated refrain of "vanity of vanities," underscoring the emptiness of worldly pursuits. The lyric "Searching far and wide for something that feels real" immediately calls to mind the Psalmist's cry in Psalm 42:1, "As the deer pants for the water so my soul pants for you, my God," a profound thirst for genuine connection that the world alone cannot satisfy.
The core of "The Prodigal" lies in its honest admission of being "lost in the feeling that I ain't from this world." This sentiment echoes the Apostle Paul's teaching in Philippians 3:20, where he states, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Queen articulates the inherent spiritual yearning that identifies believers as sojourners, not permanent residents of this earthly realm. The phrase "Going back to Eden ain't gonna be easy" is a poignant metaphor for the spiritual discipline and surrender required to shed the world's distractions and return to a state of purity and intimate communion with the Creator, reminiscent of humanity's original state in the Garden. This difficulty acknowledges the struggle against sin and ingrained habits, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture, such as in Jesus' teaching about the narrow gate in Matthew 7:13-14.
Queen's refusal to "lose my soul / Chasing after things that don't lead me straight to you" is a powerful declaration of prioritizing eternal values over fleeting earthly gains. This directly contrasts with the allure of wealth and fame that the song explicitly rejects: "I don't need the money, I don't want the fame, I don't want what I can't take with me in the grave." This profound truth is a cornerstone of Christian teaching, reminding believers of the impermanence of material possessions and the ultimate accountability before God, as Jesus Himself warned in Matthew 6:19-21 about not laying up treasures on earth. The repeated commitment to not lose one's gaze "When I meet you face-to-face" signifies a focused devotion and anticipation of the glorious return of Christ or the eternal presence with God, aligning with the eschatological hope found throughout the New Testament. The concluding affirmation, "Well done, welcome home," is a direct echo of the Parable of the Lost Son found in Luke 15, where the father rejoices at the return of his wayward child, embodying God's boundless grace and acceptance. The song's ultimate message is one of confident return, a conscious turning away from worldly detours and an urgent, joyful embrace of home in God, mirroring the prodigal son's realization and subsequent journey back to his father's loving embrace.