1. Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow Thee; Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shall be; Perish every fond ambition, all I've sought, and hoped or known; Yet how rich is my condition, God and heaven are still my own! 2. Let the world despise and leave me, they have left my Savior too; Human hearts and looks deceive me; Thou art not, like man, untrue; And, while Thou shalt smile upon me, God of wisdom, love and might, Foes may hate and friends may shun me; show Thy face and all is bright. 3. Go, then, earthly fame and treasure! Come, disaster, scorn and pain! In Thy service, pain is pleasure; with Thy favor, loss is gain. I have called Thee, "Abba, Father;" I have set my heart on Thee: Storms may howl, and clouds may gather, all must work for good to me. 4. Man may trouble and distress me, 'twill but drive me to Thy breast; Life with trials hard may press me, heaven will bring me sweeter rest. O 'tis not in grief to harm me, while Thy love is left to me; O 'twere not in joy to charm me, were that joy unmixed with Thee. 5. Hasten on from grace to glory, armed by faith, and winged by prayer; Heaven's eternal day's before me, God's own hand shall guide me there. Soon shall close my earthly mission, swift shall pass my pilgrim days; Hope shall change to glad fruition, faith to sight, and prayer to praise.
Lyrics: Henry Francis
Lyte
Music: Rowland Huw Prichard
Tune: HYFRYDOL
Meter: 8.7.8.7.D.
Henry F. Lyte, 1793–1847
Henry Lyte spent the last twenty-three years of his life ministering to an Anglican parish of humble fishermen in Devonshire, England. In spite of his cross of frail health, Lyte worked tirelessly to build up a Sunday school of more than 800 children, and he contributed to a great spiritual and moral change in the hardened community around him. Also during these years, he had a number of books of poetry published as well as eighty hymn texts.