1 A prize is set before us,
‘Tis a prize that all may win,
A crown of life immortal,
Let us now the race begin;
With courage never failing,
With purpose high and pure,
O’er ev’ry ill prevailing,
Unto the end endure.
Refrain:
A crown of life immortal, wondrous fair,
A crown which all who will my win and wear;
Then gird on thy strength, oh, soul,
Press onward to the goal,
And win the waiting crown,
And with the waiting crown.
2 The prize is worth the winning,
Time is swiftly gliding by;
The sun is in the heavens,
And each moment mounting high;
The day of youth is passing,
The night draws on apace;
Begin today in earnest
If you would win the race. [Refrain]
3 The nail-pierced hands of Jesus
Will the crown of life bestow,
He ran the race before us,
And each step doth fully know;
Oh joy beyond all measure,
When we the race have run,
To hear the Master saying,
The crown of life is won. [Refrain]
Source: The Excelsior Hymnal #48