1 'Take up your cross, the Saviour said,
'if you would My disciple be;
deny thyself, forsake the world,
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, despise the shame,
nor let your foolish pride rebel;
the Lord for you endured the cross
to save your soul from death and hell.

4 Take up your cross, then, in His strength,
and calmly every danger brave;
it guides you to a better home,
and leads to conquest of the grave.

5 Take up your cross and follow Christ,
nor think till death to lay it down;
for only they who bear the cross
may hope to wear the glorious crown.