Church Hymnary (4th ed.) ‎#402a

402a. 'Take up your cross,' the Saviour said

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.

Text Information

• First Line: 'Take up your cross,' the Saviour said
• Author: Charles William Everest (1814-1877) (alt.)
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2005
• Scripture:
  1 Corinthians 15:55
  ;
  1 Peter 4:16
  ;
  1 Peter 5:4
  ;
  2 Timothy 1:12
  ;
  2 Timothy 4:8
  ;
  Hebrews 12:2
  ;
  Hebrews 12:12
  ;
  James 1:12
  ;
  Luke 14:27
  ;
  Mark 8:34-38
  ;
  Matthew 10:38-39
  ;
  Matthew 16:24
  ;
  Revelation 2:10
• Topic: Life in Christ: Christ Incarnate - Passion and Death; Christian Year: Lent; Discipleship

Tune Information

• Name: BRESLAU
• Meter: LM
• Key: G Major
• Source: German, 15th century, as adapted in As hymnodus sacer, Leipzig, 1625; Adapted: compilers of Church Hymnary 3rd ed., 1973