1  Beneath the cross of Jesus

       I fain would take my stand,

    The shadow of a might Rock

       Within a weary land;

    A rest upon the way,

       From the burning of the noontide heat,

    And the burden of the day.

 2  Oh, safe and happy shelter!

       Oh, refuge tried and sweet!

    Oh, trysting place where heaven's love

       And heaven's justice meet.

    As to the holy patriarch

       That wondrous dream was given,

    So is my Savior by the cross

       A ladder up to heaven.

 3  There lies beneath its shadow,

       But on the farther side,

    The darkness of an awful grave

       That gapes both deep and wide;

    And there between us stands the cross,

       Two arms outstretched to save,

    Like a watchman set to guard the way

       From that eternal grave.

 4  Upon that cross of Jesus

       Mine eyes at times can see

    The very dying form of One,

       Who suffered there for me;

    And from my smitten heart, with tears,

       Two wonders I confess,

    The wonders of His glorious love,

       And my own worthlessness.

 5  I take, O cross, thy shadow

       For my abiding place;

    I ask no other sunshine than

       The sunshine of His face;

    Content to let the world go by,

       To know no gain nor loss,

    My sinful self my only shame,

       My glory all the cross.