1. Must Jesus bear the cross alone And all the world go free? No, there's a cross for ev'ryone, And there's a cross for me. 2. 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. 3. Upon the crystal pavement, down At Jesus' pierced feet, Joyful I'll cast my golden crown And His dear name repeat. 4. O precious cross! O glorious crown! O resurrection day! Ye angels, from the stars come down And bear my soul away.
Lyrics: Thomas Shepherd, et al.
Music: George Nelson Allen
Tune: MAITLAND
Meter: C.M.
Thomas Shepherd, 1665–1739
The text for this hymn was the work of several different authors through the centuries. Thomas Shepherd, a 17th century English dissenter preacher, published a volume of poems in 1693 titled Penitential Cries. At least the first stanza with some possible alterations is believed to have come from that volume. One of the original stanzas from this work reads as follows:
Shall Simon bear the Cross alone, and other Saints be free?
Each Saint of Thine shall find his own— And there is one for me.
George Nelson Allen, music teacher at Oberlin College, collected the verses and composed the music for the text in 1844 for inclusion in his collection, Oberlin Social and Sabbath School Hymn Book.