Afflictions Though They Seem Severe { Afflictions Though They Seem Severe by John Newton, 1779 TENNESSEE-perh. Baptist Harmony, p. 227 Afflictions, Though They Seem Severe } Afflictions, though they seem severe, Are oft in mercy sent: They stopped the prodigal son's career, And caused him to repent. Chorus Oh, I die with hunger, here he cries, And starve in a foreign land, My father's house hath large supplies, And bounteous are his hands. Although he no relenting felt Till he had spent his store, His stubborn heart began to melt When famine pinched him sore. What have I gained by sin, he said, But hunger, shame and fear? My father's house abounds with bread, Whilst I am starving here. I'll go and tell him what I've done, Fall down before his face, Not worthy to be called his son, I'll ask a servant's place. He saw his son returning back, He looked, he ran, he smiled, And threw his arms around the neck Of his rebell'ous child.