No Cross for Me? (EN 3806)

1

No cross for me, O blessed Lord and Savior?

No cross for me, when Thou Thine own didst bear,

At midnight hour within the garden kneeling,

While pitying stars beheld Thy anguish there.

There is a cross, and gladly I accept it;

There is a warfare with a host of sin;

But Thou has op’d the gate of life eternal,

And Thou wilt let Thine own dear children in.

2

No cross for me, when Thou the King of glory,

The Well-Beloved, the Father’s only Son,

Didst with Thy blood atone for all transgressions?

For Thou hast tasted death for ev’ry one.

3

No cross for me? shall I on Pisgah’s mountain

Content abide, from care and trial free?

Ah, no, but thro’ the wilderness of sorrow,

Tho’ pierced with thorns, my feet shall follow Thee!

4

“Take up the cross if thou art My disciple!”

Deep in my soul I hear Thy words of love:

“Take up the cross, and when the war is over,

Home, rest, and crown, with endless joy above!”