Good Will ‎#70

70. The Way of the Cross

1 The way of the cross may be toilsome and drear,
With much to annoy and but little to cheer;
Rocks, pitfalls, and snares, and a tangled array
Of briers and thorns to perplex and dismay;
And friends may betray thee and enemies frown;
But the way of the Cross is the way of the Crown.

Chorus:
Then travel this way, by night and by day,
With pilgrim’s staff in hand;
Though rugged it be, yet it leadeth to thee,
To the painless, deathless land.

2 Faint not, weary pilgrim, for, know! ‘tis the road
That leads to thy rest in the bosom of God;
Thy Savior hath travel’d each step of the way,
His presence attends thee, his strength is thy stay;
Why falter thy footsteps? why art thou cast down?
When the way of the Cross is the way of the Crown? [Chorus]

3 Before thee is smiling a sweet summer glade,
And gladness awaits thee in sunshine and shade;
The birds carrol gaily and flowers bloom there,
Sweet odors are filling the ambient air;
Then hasten thy footsteps, and soon thou shalt own
That it is not all toil on the way to the Crown. [Chorus]

4 Press on, and the Sun of yon heavenly sphere,
The path shall illume on thy pilgrimage here;
And brighter, still brighter his rays shall become,
Till glory ineffable welcome thee home;
Then wilt thou confess to thy Savior’s renown,
That the way of the Cross is the way of the Crown. [Chorus]

Text Information

• First Line: The way of the cross may be toilsome and drear
• Title: The Way of the Cross
• Author: Rev. G. W. Lloyd
• Refrain First Line: Then travel this way, by night and by day
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1882
• Notes: Public Domain.

Tune Information

• Name: [The way of the cross may be toilsome and drear]
• Composer: J. M. Stillman
• Notes: Public Domain.