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The Royal Way

Representative Text

1. We may spread our couch with roses,
And sleep thro' the summer day;
But the soul that in sloth reposes
Is not in the narrow way.
If we follow the chart that is given,
We need not be at loss,
For the only way to heaven,
Is the royal way of the cross.

2. Unto those who live in splendor,
The cross is a heavy load;
And the feet that are soft and tender,
Will shrink from the thorny road;
But the chains of the soul must be riven,
And wealth must be as dross;
For the only way to heaven,
Is the royal way of the cross.

3. We may say we'll walk to-morrow,
The path we refuse to-day;
And still, with our lukewarm sorrow,
We shrink from the narrow way.
What heeded the chosen eleven,
How fortune life might toss,
As they followed their Lord to heaven,
By the way of the royal cross.

Grove Songs #2, 1873

Author: Philip Phillips

Phillips, Philip, commonly known as the "Singing Pilgrim," was born in Chautauqua County, N. York, Aug. 13, 1834. Although engaged in farming for a time, from an early age he devoted himself to music, and ultimately devoted himself to the work of a "Singing Evangelist," in which capacity he has visited most English-speaking countries. His popular hymnals are: (1) Early Blossoms, 1860; (2) Musical Leaves, 1862; and (3) The Singing Pilgrim, 1866. In these works he published one or two hymns, including "I have heard of a Saviour's love" (The love of Christ), as in I. D. Sankey's Sacred Songs and Solos, 1878. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)  Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: We may spread our couch with roses
Title: The Royal Way
Author: Philip Phillips
Source: Words arr.
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 29 of 29)
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Beulah Songs #77

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Free Methodist Hymnal #332

Gospel Praise Book, enlarged ed. #d135

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Gospel Praise Book. #175

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Grove Songs No. 2 #9

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Highway Songs #49

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Hymns New and Old, No. 2 #83

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Pearly Gates #10

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Rescue Songs #13

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Sacred Hymns and Tunes #408

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Salvation Army Music #441

Songs for Young and Old #d171

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Songs of Joy and Gladness #191

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Songs of Joy and Gladness with Supplement #191

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Songs of Victory #108

Spiritual Songs and Hymns for Pilgrims. New Church ed. #d204

The Chapel Hymn Book #d376

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The Devotional Chimes #25

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The Highway Hymnal (Revised edition) #159

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The Highway Hymnal #159

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The Hymn Book of the Free Methodist Church #863

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The Revivalist #29

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The Tribute of Praise and Methodist Protestant Hymn Book #614

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The Tribute of Praise #614

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The Tribute of Praise #609

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The Wesleyan Methodist Hymnal #332

Warrior Songs for the White Cavalry. 2nd ed. #d263

Warrior Songs for the White Cavalry. 3rd ed. #d351

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