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The United Methodist Hymnal · No. 424 · Words: Thomas Shepherd (attr.) · Tune: MAITLAND
Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone
Create PowerPoint slides from this hymn →A 17th-century hymn attributed to Thomas Shepherd, calling believers to willingly bear their own cross in imitation of Christ, with confident hope of a heavenly crown. The text has circulated in evangelical hymnody since the 1690s.
Verse 1
Must Jesus bear
the cross alone,
and all the world go free?
No, there’s a cross
for everyone,
and there’s a
cross for me.
Verse 2
How happy are
the saints above,
who once went
sorrowing here!
But now they taste
unmingled love,
and joy without a tear.
Verse 3
The consecrated
cross I’ll bear
till death shall
set me free;
and then go home
my crown to wear,
for there’s a
crown for me.
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