Cross and Crown

1 There is a cross of heavy weight,
For every human life to bear;
There is a chaplet formed of thorns
For each and every brow to wear.
Oh! when the cross of pain and woe
Shall soon forever be laid down,
May we receive in recompense,
A beautiful and fadeless crown.

2 A cross of toil and worldly grief,
A burden of suspense and care,
Has life imposed upon us all,
And each its heavy load must bear.
The clouds may lower overhead,
The bright stars fade before our eyes,
Yet faith shall point us out the path
Where sacrifice, where duty lies.

3 A crown awaits each faithful heart,
Each earnest, self denying soul,
That carries cheerfully the cross,
To death’s cold, unrelenting goal.
And where the veil shall melt away,
Disclosing Heaven’s endless bliss;
The crown of love shall compensate
The cross of such a life as this.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #8520

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #8520