How could I bear a crown of gold when the Lord bears a crown of thorns?
And bears it for me! (St. Elizabeth of Hungary)

How could we bear a crown of gold,
When our Lord bore a crown of thorns?
How could we wish for regal clothes,
When our Lord’s clothes were ripped and torn?

How can we reject the scourges of life,
When He brings us such grace and strength?
How can we not carry our cross,
And carry it for its full length?

How could we reject being crucified,
How could we embrace selfish living?
How could we not want to give all we have,
To the Lord Who is loving and giving?

How could we want only pleasant words,
Where the Lord heard mocking and scorn?
How could we wish for a crown of gold,
When our Lord’s crown was made of thorns?

Give us the crown of thorns, dear Lord,
Fix it upon our heads.
Let us be scourged with You, our Lord,
For all the blood that You shed.

Let us no longer fear the cross,
To lift it, let’s have no delay.
We offer it as a sacrifice,
For loved ones lost and astray.

We offer our cross in atonement.
Lord, use it for good today.