Thou Say'St, Take Up Thy Cross

Francis Palgrave

7 Verses Following Christ Cross Bearing

Verse 1

Thou sayst, Take up thy cross, O man, and follow Me; The night is black, the feet are slack, Yet we would follow Thee.

Verse 2

But O dear Lord, we cry, That we Thy face could see! Thy blessd face one moments space Then might we follow Thee!

Verse 3

Dim tracts of time divide Those golden days from me; Thy voice comes strange oer years of change; How can I follow Thee?

Verse 4

Comes faint and far Thy voice From vales of Galilee; Thy vision fades in ancient shades; How should we follow Thee?

Verse 5

O heavy crossof faith In what we cannot see! As once of yore Thyself restore And help to follow Thee.

Verse 6

If not as once Thou camst In true humanity, Come yet as Guest within the breast That burns to follow Thee.

Verse 7

Within our hearts of hearts In nearest nearness be: Set up Thy throne within Thine own; Go, Lord: We follow Thee.