The Hymnal ‎#195

195. 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 blessèd 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 Comes 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.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Thou say'st, "Take up thy cross
• Author: Francis T. Palgrave (1865)
• Publication Date: 1895

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