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:
the Lord refused not even to die
upon a cross, on Calvary's hill.

4 Take up your cross, then, in his strength,
and calmly every danger brave;
it guides you to a better home,
and leads to victory 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.