I shall not bear the cross thro’ yon ci­ty
When the bur­dens of life are laid down.
When I knock on the por­tals of Hea­ven
I will trade the old cross for a crown.

Refrain

Yes, I’ll trade the old cross for a crown,
When the bur­dens of life are laid down.
When the pearl gates for me shall swing op­en,
I will trade the old cross for a crown.

Tho’ the cross oft­en­times has been hea­vy,
And oft for­tune on me seems to frown,
But how hap­py I’ll be ov­er yon­der
When I trade the old cross for a crown.

Refrain

Oft, my bark has been tossed on life’s bil­lows,
And each wave tries my ves­sel to drown.
But no storm cloud can harm me for­ev­er
When I trade the old cross for a crown.

Refrain

Ev’ry cross that I bear for my Sav­ior
Will at last, when He calls, be laid down,
And my sor­rows will all be for­got­ten
When I trade the old cross for a crown.

Refrain