Verse 1
Thou say’st, “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 blessed face one moment’s space—
Then might we follow Thee!
Verse 3
Dim tracts of time divide
Those golden days from me;
Thy voice comes strange o’er 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 cross—of faith
In what we cannot see!
As once of yore Thyself restore,
And help to follow Thee.
Verse 6
If not as once Thou cam’st
In true humanity,
Come yet as Guest within the breast
That burns to follow Thee.
Verse 7
Within our heart of hearts
In nearest nearness be:
Set up Thy throne within Thine own:
Go, Lord: we follow Thee.