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 soul with vain alarm;
His strength shall bear your spirit up,
And brace your heart and nerve your arm.

3 Take up your cross; nor heed the shame,
And let your foolish pride be still;
Your Lord refused not e'en to die
Upon a cross, on Calv'ry's hill.

4 Take up your cross, then, in his strength,
And calmly sin's wild deluge brave;
'Twill guide you to a better home,
It points to glory o'er the grave.

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