There Awaits a Crown

1 I will try to be a soldier of the cross,
Tho' its banner leads in wild and rugged ways;
Tho' the spirit meets with burden and with loss,
And the clouds of grief may shadow all my days.

Chorus:
Onward, soldier, to the battle,
Ther [sic] awaits a crown of beauty and of light,
Gird thine armor, be thy ardor,
To the battle in his glory and might.

2 I will try to be a soldier of the cross,
For my Savior keepeth watch and ward above;
He will make the spirit triumph over loss,
For He leadeth all His children in His love. [Chorus]

3 I will try to be a soldier of the cross,
And the spirit will not sink beneath its load;
For the dearest ties of earth are only dross,
And our souls should only upward look to God. [Chorus]

Source: Crowning Glory No. 1: a choice collection of gospel hymns #178