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Take Up Thy Cross

Author: Hattie M. Bird Appears in 2 hymnals First Line: The way is long and rough, and dark Refrain First Line: Take up thy cross its burden bear

[The way is long and rough]

Appears in 2 hymnals Composer and/or Arranger: Jno. R. Sweney Incipit: 32354 32317 13217 Used With Text: Take up Thy Cross

Instances

Published text-tune combinations (hymns) from specific hymnals

Author: H. M. Bird Hymnal: The Ark of Praise #54 (1882) First Line: The way is long and rough Lyrics: 1 The way is long, and rough, and dark, But I have trod it all for thee; My footprints all the journey mark,— Take up thy cross, and follow me. Refrain: Take up thy cross its burden bear, If thou would’st my disciple be; Who bears the cross the crown shall wear,— Take up thy cross, and follow me. 2 Let not the mountain’s stony height, Nor yet the swelling of the sea, With foolish fears thy soul affright,— Take up thy cross, and follow me. [Refrain] 3 When storms arise and griefs assail, To me thy Refuge quickly flee, My loving care shall never fail,— Take up thy cross, and follow me. [Refrain] 4 Though foes beset thee, do not yield, For I thy Leader strong will be; With breastplate on, and faith thy shield, Take up thy cross, and follow me. [Refrain] 5 Then noble strive, and vict’ry gain, A crown of glory waiteth thee; But if thou would’st thy crown attain, Take up thy cross, and follow me. [Refrain] Scripture: Matthew 16:24 Tune Title: [The way is long and rough]

Take up Thy Cross

Author: Hattie M. Bird Hymnal: The Quartet #384 (1884) First Line: The way is long and rough, and dark Refrain First Line: Take up thy cross its burden bear Languages: English Tune Title: [The way is long and rough, and dark]

People

Authors, composers, editors, etc.

John R. Sweney

1837 - 1899 Person Name: Jno. R. Sweney Composer of "[The way is long and rough]" in The Ark of Praise John R. Sweney (1837-1899) was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and exhibited musical abilities at an early age. At nineteen he was studying with a German music teacher, leading a choir and glee club, and performing at children’s entertainments. By twenty-two he was teaching at a school in Dover, Delaware. Soon thereafter, he was put in charge of the band of the Third Delaware Regiment of the Union Army for the duration of the Civil War. After the war, he became Professor of Music at the Pennsylvania Military Academy, and director of Sweney’s Cornet Band. He eventually earned Bachelor and Doctor of Music degrees at the Academy. Sweney began composing church music in 1871 and became well-known as a leader of large congregations. His appreciators stated “Sweney knows how to make a congregation sing” and “He had great power in arousing multitudes.” He also became director of music for a large Sunday school at the Bethany Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia of which John Wanamaker was superintendent (Wanamaker was the founder of the first major department store in Philadelphia). In addition to his prolific output of hymn melodies and other compositions, Sweney edited or co-edited about sixty song collections, many in collaboration with William J. Kirkpatrick. Sweney died on April 10, 1899, and his memorial was widely attended and included a eulogy by Wanamaker. Joe Hickerson from "Joe's Jottings #9" used by permission