Take up Thy Cross / Take up Your Cross (the Saviour Said)

This is a hymn about following Jesus / discipleship, which can be used at Lent and at other times of the year.

The words were written by American Episcopal priest and poet, Charles William Everest (1814-1877).

With meter 8.8.8.8, tunes it has been set to include:

BRESLAU by Jos. Clauder, from the Lochamer Gesangbuch, ca 1450
QUEBEC (Baker) by English engineer and musician, Henry Baker (1835-1910)
O WALY WALY - traditional English / Irish.

It is quite different from the gospel song of the same name which starts "Take up your cross and follow me".

Downloads

PowerPoint slides, traditional words

PowerPoint slides, modern words

Examples

Cantor with organ, tune O WALY WALY

Tune SPIRES

Singer with piano, tune BRESLAU

Instrumental - piano. Tune BRESLAU

Lyrics

Modern language

"Take up your cross," the Saviour said,
"If you would my disciple be;
Forsake the past, and come this day,
And humbly follow after me."

Take up your cross; let not its weight
Pervade your soul with vain alarm;
His strength shall bear your spirit up,
Sustain your heart, and nerve your arm.

Take up your cross, nor heed the shame,
Nor let your foolish heart rebel;
For you the Lord endured the cross
To save your soul from death and hell.

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 a golden crown.

Traditional language

“Take up thy cross,” the Saviour said,
“If thou wouldst My disciple be;
Deny thyself, the world forsake,
And humbly follow after Me.”

Take up thy cross, let not its weight
Fill thy weak spirit with alarm;
His strength shall bear thy spirit up,
And brace thy heart and nerve thine arm.

Take up thy cross, nor heed the shame,
Nor let thy foolish pride rebel;
Thy Lord for thee the cross endured,
And saved thy soul from death and hell.

Take up thy cross then in His strength,
And calmly sin’s wild deluge brave,
’Twill guide thee to a better home,
It points to glory o’er the grave.

Take up thy cross and follow Christ,
Nor think til death to lay it down;
For only those who bear the cross
May hope to wear the glorious crown.