Together in Song ‎#583

583. 'Take up thy 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 spirit with 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:
your 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 they who bear the cross
may hope to wear the glorious crown.

Text Information

• First Line: 'Take up thy cross,' the Saviour said
• Author: Charles William Everest, 1814-77 (alt.)
• Meter: 88.88
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1999
• Scripture:
  1 Peter 5:1-5
  ;
  2 Timothy 4:6-8
  ;
  Hebrews 12:12-17
  ;
  John 21:15-25
  ;
  Luke 9:23-43
  ;
  Luke 14:27
  ;
  Mark 1:16-20
  ;
  Mark 8:34-38
  ;
  Mark 15:12-24
  ;
  Matthew 4:18-22
  ;
  Matthew 10:42
  ;
  Matthew 16:24-26
  ;
  Matthew 27:32-34
• Topic: Good Friday; Holy Week; Passion Sunday

Tune Information

• Name: O JESU CHRIST, MEINS LEBENS LICHT
• Meter: 88.88
• Key: A Major
• Source: Adapted from a melody in 'As Hymnodus Sacer', Leipzig, 1625