1 God laid on me a cross to carry,
Which I felt more than I could bear;
But in the desert, faint and famished,
Lo! It was food and shelter there;
And then to my great grief and wonder,
The cross I bore in grief and pain;
Had straightway leaped upon my shoulder,
And became my cross again.

Refrain:
But some day, some glad day,
When I shall lay my burden down,
I’ll awaken in God’s presence,
To find my cross is changed into my crown.

2 I met a lion on my journey,
And lo! The cross was in my hand;
A trusty weapon and it laid him
In silence on the desert sands;
And then to my great grief and wonder,
The cross I bore in grief and pain;
Had straightway leaped upon my shoulder,
And became my cross again. [Refrain]

3 And so my cross becomes a blessing,
And lighter grows as years roll on;
I would not lose it, lest another
My weary back be laid upon;
For God who gave in tender mercy,
Well knew how much to lay on me;
And so I’ll bear it uncomplaining,
Until I His face shall see. [Refrain]