If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
Matthew 16:24
Words: Charles W. Everest, Visions of Death, and Other Poems 1833.
Music: Germany, Sacred Melodies, by William Gardiner, 1815 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good picture of Everest (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Take up thy cross,
the Savior said,
If thou wouldst My disciple be;
Deny thyself, the world forsake,
And humbly follow after Me.
Take up thy cross, let not its weight
Fill thy weak spirit with alarm;
His strength shall bear thy spirit up,
And brace thy heart and nerve thine arm.
Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame,
Nor let thy foolish pride rebel;
Thy Lord for thee the cross endured,
And saved thy soul from death and hell.
Take up thy cross then in His strength,
And calmly sin’s wild deluge brave,
’Twill guide thee to a better home,
It points to glory o’er the grave.
Take up thy cross and follow Christ,
Nor think til death to lay it down;
For only those who bear the cross
May hope to wear the glorious crown.
To Thee, great Lord, the One in Three,
All praise forevermore ascend:
O grant us in our home to see
The heavenly life that knows no end.