Hosea was told to love what had wandered And his own house became a sign to Israel He took her hand in the morning With a promise on his tongue But the streets kept calling softly And the old song still was sung She went after empty lovers Chasing bread and oil and wine But the gifts were from the giver And the wound was not just mine Jezreel cried from the valley Mercy seemed to disappear Not my people was the warning Still the Lord was drawing near How can I give you up? How can I let you go? You broke the vow But I still call you home I will tear and I will heal I will wound and bind the pain Come back to me Oh, Israel Come back through the rain She was bought back from the market Not with anger, not with pride He said, stay with me in silence Leave the strangers' doors behind So the Lord spoke through the sorrow, you have run to guards of stone But I taught your feet to follow and I carried you as my own I desired mercy from you, not the smoke of empty flame For your love is like the morning dawn before the noonday came How can I give you up? How can I let you go? You broke the vow But I still call you home I will tear and I will heal I will wound and bind the pain Come back to me, oh Israel Come back through the rain Out of Egypt I called my son Out of chains I made you mine But you bowed beneath the high places And forgot the hand divine Still I am God and not a man My mercy burns but does not break I will roar like a lion And my children will awake How can I give you up? How can I let you go? The fields will dry But my love will grow I will heal your backsliding I will love you freely again Come back to me, O Israel Come back through the rain Who is wise? Let him hear it Who has ears? Let him know The ways of the Lord are righteous And the faithful walk the road