Scripture Verse

If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. Matthew 16:24

Introduction

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John E. Giles
1805–1875

Words: John E. Giles, 1830. Orig­in­al­ly, it be­gan, Hast Thou said, ex­alt­ed Je­sus?

Music: Green­ville, from the op­e­ra Le De­vin du Vill­age (The Vill­age Sooth­say­er), by Jean-Jacques Rous­seau, 1752 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

  • Howell, Will­iam B. Brad­bu­ry, in The De­vo­tion­al Hymn and Tune Book (Phil­a­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: Am­er­i­can Bap­tist Pub­li­ca­tion So­ci­e­ty, 1864), num­ber 21 (🔊 pdf nwc)
portrait
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
1712–1778

Lyrics

Thou hast said, exalted Jesus,
Take thy cross and follow Me;
Shall the word with terror seize us?
Shall we from the burden flee?
Lord, I’ll take it, Lord, I’ll take it,
And rejoicing, follow Thee.

While this liquid tomb surveying,
Emblem of my Savior’s grave,
Shall I shun its brink, betraying
Feelings worthy of a slave?
No, I’ll enter, no, I’ll enter;
Jesus entered Jordan’s wave.

Blest the sign which thus reminds me,
Savior, of Thy love for me;
But more blest the love that binds me
In its deathless bonds to Thee;
Oh, what pleasure, oh, what pleasure,
Buried with my Lord to be!

Fellowship with Him possessing,
Let me die to earth and sin;
Let me rise t’enjoy the blessing
Which the faithful soul shall win;
May I ever, may I ever
Follow where my Lord has been.