COME, MY WAY, MY TRUTH, MY LIFE

“I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6

George Herbert (1593-1632)

Words: George Her­bert, from his po­em “The Call,” pub­lished post­hu­mous­ly in The Tem­ple, 1633.

Music: The Call, Ralph Vaugh­an Will­iams, Five Mys­tic­al Songs, 1911; adapt­ed by E. Har­old Greer (MI­DI, score). Al­ter­nate tunes:

  • Evening Pray­er (Steb­bins), George C. Steb­bins, 1878 (MI­DI, score)
  • Innocents, The Par­ish Choir, 1850; harmony by William H. Monk, 1861 (MI­DI, score)
  • Mercy, Lou­is M. Gott­schalk, 1867 (MI­DI, score)
  • Savannah, Foun­de­ry Col­lect­ion, 1742 (MI­DI, score)

Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life:
Such a way as gives us breath;
Such a truth as ends all strife,
Such a life as killeth death.

Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength:
Such a light as shows a feast,
Such a feast as mends in length,
Such a strength as makes his guest.

Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart:
Such a joy as none can move,
Such a love as none can part,
Such a heart as joys in love.