If My dis­ci­ple thou wouldst be,
Take up the cross and fol­low Me;
Rough tho’ the jour­ney, strait the road,
This is the way that leads to God;
Freely I give My­self for thee;
Take up the cross and fol­low Me.

Refrain

Take up the cross, take up the cross,
Take up the cross and fol­low Me.

What if the world re­proach thy name?
Take up the cross, des­pise the shame;
Glory in this, that love di­vine
Brings thee a ran­som, makes thee Mine;
Think of the thorns I wore for thee;
Take up the cross and fol­low Me.

Refrain

Bearing the cross in good or ill,
Trusting the hand that guides thee still,
Soon thou wilt reach the gates of light,
Soon will thy faith be changed to sight;
There is a crown of life for thee;
Take up the cross and fol­low Me.

Refrain