“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” —John 14:6
“Thou Art the Way” is a hymn penned by George Washington Doane (1799-1859). The hymn first appeared in Songs by the Way, published in 1826. John 14:6 was the inspirational text for Mr. Doane’s hymn. It may be more easily recognized by the title given the hymn in the 1860 publication of the hymnal, “I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.”
The version below was Hymn 6 from a copy of Songs by the Way: the poetical writings of the right Rev. Geo. Washington Doane, D.D., LL.D., which was arranged and edited by George W. Doane’s son, William Croswell Doane, and published by D. Appleton and Co., New York in 1860.
Born in Trenton, New Jersey, George Washington Doane was an Episcopal minister who penned many poems and hymns, including the hymn, “Softly Now the Light of Day.”
Thou Art the Way
also known as “I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life”
C.M. 8.6.8.6.
Thou art the Way; to Thee alone,
From Sin, and Death, we flee;
And he, who would the Father seek,
Must seek him, Lord, by Thee.
Thou art the Truth; Thy word alone,
True wisdom, can impart;
Thou only canst inform the mind,
And purify the heart.
Thou art the Life; the rending tomb,
Proclaims Thy conquering arm,
And those who put their trust in Thee,
Nor death, nor hell, shall harm.
Thou art the Way, the Truth, the Life;
Grant us, that Way to know,
That Truth, to keep; that Life, to win;
Whose joys, eternal flow.
