When Christ our Lord to Andrew Cried

 

When Christ our Lord to Andrew cried: “Come, thou, and follow me,”

The fisher left his net beside the Sea of Galilee.

To teach the truth the Master taught, to tread the path he trod

was all his will and thus he brought unnumbered souls to God.

When Andrew’s hour had come, and he was doomed, like Christ to die,

he kissed his cross exultingly, and this his noble cry:

“O noble cross! O precious wood! I long have yearned for thee;

uplift me to my only good who died on thee for me.”

The faith that Andrew taught once shone o’er all this kingdom fair;

the cross that Jesus died upon was honoured everywhere.

But times once changed and Andrew’s name was for a while forgot;

the cross, though set in kingly crown, became a sign of shame.

St Andrew now in bliss above, thy fervent prayers renew

that Scotland yet again may love the faith, entire and true;

that I the cross allotted me may bear with patient love!

Twill lift me, as it lifted thee, to reign with Christ above.