Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Mark 8:34
Words: Jean B. de Santeüil, Cluniac Breviary 1686 (Ex quo, salus mortalium). Translated from Latin to English by Isaac Williams, Hymns Translated from the Parisian Breviary, 1839 (“Our Lord the Path of Suffering Trod”) and the compilers of Hymns Ancient and Modern.
Music: Aber William H. Monk, in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1875 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
For man the Savior shed
His all atoning blood,
And, oh, shall ransomed man refuse
To suffer for his God?
Ashamed who now can be
To own the Crucified?
Nay, rather be our glory this,
To die for Him who died?
So felt Thy martyr, Lord;
By Thy right hand sustained,
He waged for Thee the battle’s strife,
And threatened death disdained.
Upon the golden crown
Gazing with eager breath,
He fought as one who fain would die,
And, dying, conquer death.
Alone he stood unmoved
Amid his cruel foes;
Oh, wondrous was the might that then
Above his torturers rose!
Lord, give us grace to bear
Like him our cross of shame,
To do and suffer what Thou wilt,
For love of Thy dear name.
Jesu, the king of saints,
We praise Thee and adore,
Who art, with God the Father One
And Spirit evermore.