The Church Hymnal ‎#358

358. Thou say'st, Take up thy cross

1 Thou say'st, "Take up thy cross,
O man, and follow Me";
The night is black, the feet are slack,
Yet we would follow Thee.

2 But, O dear Lord, we cry,
That we Thy face could see,
Thy blessed face one moment's space,
Then might we follow Thee!

3 Dim tracts of time divide
Those golden days from me;
Thy voice comes strange o'er years of change;
How can I follow Thee?

4 Come, faint and far Thy voice
From vales of Galilee;
Thy vision fades in ancient shades;
How should we follow Thee?

5 O heavy cross: of faith
In what we cannot see!
As once of yore Thyself restore,
And help to follow Thee.

6 If not as once Thou cam'st
In true humanity,
Come yet as guest within the breast
That burns to follow Thee.

7 Within our heart of hearts
In nearest nearness be:
Set up Thy throne within Thine own:
Go, Lord; we follow Thee.

Text Information

• First Line: Thou say'st, Take up thy cross
• Author: F. T. Palgrave
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1920
• Topic: General

Tune Information

• Name: ST. BRIDE
• Composer: S. Howard
• Meter: S. M.
• Key: g minor