When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
1 Peter 5:4
Words: Josephine Pollard, in The Starry Crown of Sunday School Melodies, by William Perkins (New York: William A. Pond, 1869), number 1.
Music: William O. Perkins (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Perkins (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
I must not walk in the way of sin,
I must never be led astray,
A crown is the prize I hope to win,
And I’ll strive for it every day.
Refrain
O that beautiful crown,
That beautiful starry crown;
If I am willing to bear the cross,
My Savior will give me a crown.
I must not heed what the world may say,
And I never must dread its frown,
For thro’ the same path my Savior trod,
I must go to obtain my crown.
Refrain
I must not think I can waste my time,
Or in pleasure my conscience drown.
The fear of the Lord must rule my heart,
Or I never can wear a crown.
Refrain
I’ll pray for strength in my hour of need,
And my Savior my strength will be;
He helps me to bear each earthly cross,
And He offers a crown to me.
Refrain