TAKE UP THY CROSS, THE SAVIOUR SAID

 A HYMN FOR THE 3RD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

by Charles W. Everest, 1833

 

 

1 "Take up thy cross," the Savior said,

"if thou wouldst my disciple be;

take up thy cross with willing heart,

and humbly follow after me."

 

2 Take up thy cross; let not its weight

fill thy weak spirit with alarm;

Christ's strength shall bear thy spirit up

and brace thine heart and nerve thine arm.

 

3 Take up thy cross, heed not the shame,

and let thy foolish heart be still;

the Lord for thee accepted death

upon a cross, on Calv'ry's hill.

 

4 Take up thy cross, then, in Christ's strength,

and calmly ev'ry danger brave:

it guides thee to abundant life

and leads to vict'ry o'er the grave.