Scripture Verse

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

Introduction

portrait
Isaac Watts (1674–1748)

Words: Is­aac Watts, ap­pend­ed to his Ser­mons, pub­lished 1721–24. This ver­sion adds a re­frain to Watt’s orig­in­al hymn, Am I a Sol­dier of the Cross.

Music: Eng­lish, ar­ranged by Will­iam B. Blake, Sr. (1852–1938) (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a bet­ter pho­to of Blake (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
William B. Blake, Sr. (1852–1938)

Lyrics

Am I a sol­dier of the cross,
A fol­low­er of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?

Refrain

And when the bat­tle’s ov­er
We shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown!
And when the bat­tle’s ov­er
We shall wear a crown
In the new Je­ru­sa­lem
Wear a crown (wear a crown)
Wear a crown (wear a crown)
Wear a bright and shin­ing crown;
And when the batt­le’s ov­er
We shall wear a crown
In the new Je­ru­sa­lem.

Must I be car­ried to the skies
On flow­ery beds of ease,
While oth­ers fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?

Refrain

Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?

Refrain