Lyrics
Verse 1 (Call and Response, Repeat)
I thank You, Jesus (I thank You, Jesus)
I thank You, Jesus (I thank You, Jesus)
I thank You, Jesus, I thank You, Lord,
Oh, You've brought me from a mighty,
A mighty long way,
A mighty long way.
Verse 2 (Call and Response)
You've been my mother (You've been my mother)
You've been my father (You've been my father)
You've been my sister, my brother too;
Oh, You've brought me from a mighty,
A mighty long way,
A mighty long way.
You've been my doctor (You've been my doctor)
You've been my lawyer (You've been my lawyer)
You've been my teacher, my friend indeed;
Oh, You've brought me from a mighty,
A mighty long way,
A mighty long way.
Verse 3 (Call and Response, Repeat)
You've been my bread (You've been my bread)
You've been my water (You've been my water)
You've been my life, my everything,
Oh, You've brought me from a mighty,
A mighty long way,
A mighty long way.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
"Thank You, Jesus" repeats a single expression of gratitude in call-and-response fashion, allowing a leader and group to trade the same simple phrase before naming the specific reason behind it, being brought "a mighty long way." That repeated structure treats gratitude as something voiced communally rather than only privately.
Its verses list an expanding series of roles filled by Jesus, family relationships first, mother, father, sister, brother, then professional ones, doctor, lawyer, teacher, before finally naming him as bread, water, and "my life, my everything." That progression, from human relationship to physical sustenance to total identity, widens the song's testimony from specific provision to complete dependence.
Rooted in Southern gospel's call-and-response performance tradition, the song functions as a testimony of comprehensive provision, its repeated title phrase and expanding list of roles together describing a single relationship treated as sufficient for every named need.
Related Scripture
- John 6:35 Describes Jesus as the bread of life, directly echoed in the song's description of Jesus as bread.
- Philippians 4:19 Describes God supplying every need, echoed in the song's expanding list of roles Jesus fills.