Return for spender!

borrowing freely from Elvis

Return for spender! Return for spender!

He took the money from his father: didn’t stop to think;

Went to Dissipation City; enjoyed girls, bets, food & drink.

Wealth was frittered quite quickly; he sank his final swigs.

Famine struck the whole country; envied filthy pigs.

(He thought about it) Return for Spender? Remember when

Farmhands ate dinners: just hired men!

I took his money, I’m a Sad Sack

I’ll arise – humbly / ask him ‘take me back’

So he walked home with purpose: ‘Employ me as a hand;’

But father saw and ran to him,

gave coat, shoes, golden band.

(He started saying) ‘Return for Spender? Worthiness none…’

But father hugged him ‘I love you, son!’

(middle eight)

‘Was lost, but now he’s found; and he asked to join the staff!

He’s revived now from the dead – so kill that fatted calf!

(Let’s have a party…) Return for Spender! My longed-for boy!

Express feelings: complete joy!’

Original lyrics to Return to Sender by Winfield Scott (aka Robie Kirk) and Otis Blackwell. Recorded by Elvis Presley in March 1962; sold over 14 million copies in the US alone, peaking in the US charts at No 2 and in the Uk charts at No 1, and featured in the 1962 Elvis movie Girls! Girls! Girls! Source: www.xs4all.nl/-beggens/song-b7.htm