MUST JESUS BEAR THE CROSS ALONE?
"If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his
cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24
Words: Stanza 1: Thomas Shepherd, Penitential Cries, 1693, alt. Stanza
2: apparently from a missionary collection published in Norwich,
England, early 19th Century. Stanza 3: The Oberlin Social and Sabbath
School Hymn Book, by George Nelson Allen, 1844. Stanzas 4-5: Plymouth
Collection of Hymns and Tunes, by Henry Ward Beecher (New York: A.S.
Barnes and Burr, 1855).
Music: George Nelson Allen, 1844.
Must Jesus bear the cross alone,
And all the world go free?
No, there's a cross for everyone,
And there's a cross for me.
How happy are the saints above,
Who once went sorrowing here!
But now they taste unmingled love,
And joy without a tear.
The consecrated cross I'll bear
Till death shall set me free;
And then go home my crown to wear,
For there's a crown for me.
Upon the crystal pavement down
At Jesus' piercèd feet,
Joyful I'll cast my golden crown
And His dear Name repeat.
O precious cross! O glorious crown!
O resurrection day!
When Christ the Lord from heav'n comes down
And bears my soul away.