Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Words: Isaac Watts, appended to his Sermons, published 1721–24. This version adds a refrain to Watt’s original hymn, Am I a Soldier of the Cross.
Music: English, arranged by William B. Blake, Sr. (1852–1938) (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a better photo of Blake (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
Refrain
And when the battle’s over
We shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown!
And when the battle’s over
We shall wear a crown
In the new Jerusalem
Wear a crown (wear a crown)
Wear a crown (wear a crown)
Wear a bright and shining crown;
And when the battle’s over
We shall wear a crown
In the new Jerusalem.
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Refrain
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Refrain