Cheer up, ye soldiers of the cross

Cheer up, ye soldiers of the cross;The moment soon will comeWhen you shall lay your armor off,And reach your blissful home.The pearly gates will wide unfoldBefore our conquering King,And entering hosts, with harps of gold,Triumphantly shall sing.

What though the warfare be severe,And enemies be strong;And painful watchings, dark and drear,The tedious night prolong;Our Captain passed this way before,And felt each cruel sting:Courage! the strife will soon be o'er,And then with joy we 'll sing.

Many a soldier in this strife,Has nobly bled and died,Counting it joy to give his lifeFor Him once crucified.And when our Captain comes again,Those from the dead he 'll bring;And they with us, and we with them,Triumphantly will sing.

O, 't will be joy, but to beholdThat glad immortal throngEnter and walk the streets of gold,And sing the victor's song!To see that host and hear that song,Must joy ecstatic bring;But those who will may join that throng,With them you too may sing.