1 "Take up your cross," the Savior 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 guides 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 those who humbly bear the cross
One day will wear the glorious crown.