Hymn of the week: “Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life”

The 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

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 conquers death.

“Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life” is a 17th-century poem written by George Herbert, priest of the church of England who is regarded as “one of the foremost British devotional lyricists.” He was educated in Trinity College, Cambridge, where he became the University’s Public Orator. His talent for public speaking eventually led to his position as a member of Parliament.

Herbert’s text was put to music by the 20th-century composer Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1911. Vaughan Williams was active as a composer through both World Wars and his symphonies are still held in high regard in the UK. He has also made many additions to the great American songbook with his series of works titled Songs of Travel.