Lyrics
Verse 1
I've been searching, for a long time
I knew that it was something, that I had to find (I been searching)
You should have seen me, raising my hands and crying
It was all because I couldn't find piece of mind
It was then, oh I kneeled down to pray
I said Lord will you show me the (way,way, way)
Verse 2
I been searching for a long time
I knew that it was something, that I had to find yeah (I been searching)
Y'all should have seen me, raising my hands and crying
All because I couldn't find a piece of mind
It was then, oh I kneeled down to pray
I said Lord will you show me the (way way, way)
Bridge
And I searched, and I searched
But I just couldn't, find my way y'all
That day, oh Lord, my life, oh yes sir
Seems like I came to a dead end road
It was then, oh I kneeled down to pray
I said Lord Jesus show me the (way way way)
Vamp (Repeat as needed)
Oh Lord, show me the way
Outro
And it was then, oh I kneeled down to pray
I said Lord will you show me the (way way way)
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“Searching” by The Canton Spirituals is a gospel testimony about a long search for peace. The singer says he has been searching for a long time, knowing there was something he had to find, and describes raising his hands and crying because he could not find peace of mind.
The turning point comes with the repeated line “It was then I kneeled down to pray.” He asks the Lord to show him the way, and the second pass adds that he came to a dead end before he prayed. The emphasis is on prayer as the answer when other paths run out. That idea is close to Jeremiah 29:13, which promises that those who seek God with all their heart will find Him, and to John 14:6, where Jesus calls Himself the way.
The closing vamp repeats “Oh Lord, show me the way” as often as needed, giving the quartet room to extend the song. It is a plain prayer for direction.
Related Scripture
- Jeremiah 29:13 Seeking God with all your heart
- John 14:6 Jesus as the way
- Philippians 4:6-7 Prayer and the peace of God