1 Take up your cross, the Saviour said,
If you would my disciple be;
Take up your cross with willing heart,
And humbly follow after me.

2 Take up your cross; let not its weight
Fill your weak spirit with alarm;
His strength shall bear your spirit up,
And brace your heart and nerve your arm.

3 Take up your cross; heed not the shame,
And let your foolish heart be still;
The Lord for you accepted death
Upon a cross, on Calv'ry's hill.

4 Take up your cross, then, in his strength,
And calmly ev'ry danger brave;
It guide you to a better home
And leads to vict'ry o'er the grave.

5 Take up your cross, and follow Christ,
Nor think till death to lay it down;
For only those who bear the cross
May hope to wear the glorious crown.