1. “Come, follow Me,” the Savior spake,
   “All in My way abiding;
   Deny yourselves, the world forsake,
   Obey My call and guiding.
   Oh, bear the cross, whate’er betide,
   Take My example for your guide.

2. “I am the Light, I light the way,
   A godly life displaying;
   I bid you walk as in the day,
   I keep your feet from straying.
   I am the Way, and well I show
   How you must sojourn here below.

3. “My heart abounds in lowliness,
   My soul with love is glowing,
   And gracious words My lips express,
   With meekness overflowing.
   My heart, My mind, My strength, My all,
   To God I yield, on Him I call.

4. “I teach you how to shun and flee
   What harms your soul’s salvation,
   Your heart from ev’ry guile to free,
   From sin and its temptation.
   I am the Refuge of the soul
   And lead you to your heav’nly goal.

5. “But if too hot you find the fray,
   I at your side stand ready;
   I fight Myself, I lead the way,
   At all times firm and steady.
   A wicked servant he, who flees
   When his dear Lord in fight he sees.

6. “He who intends to gain his life
   Apart from Me shall lose it;
   He who may lose it in the strife
   In God shall find and use it.
   Who takes not cross, nor follows Me,
   He is unworthy heav’n to see.”

7. Then let us follow Christ, our Lord,
   And take the cross appointed
   And, firmly clinging to His Word,
   In suff’ring be undaunted.
   For who bears not the battle’s strain
   The crown of life shall not obtain.

Mir nach, spricht Christus, unser Held
Johann Scheffler (Angelus Silesius), 1668
Tr. Charles W. Schaeffer, †1896, alt.
Source: Sts. 1–4, 7, The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, No. 421
St. 5, Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book, 1927, No. 246, alt.
St. 6, Christopher J. Neuendorf, 2014