What means this eager, anxious throng,
Which moves with busy haste along,
These wondrous gatherings day by day?
What means this strange commotion, pray?
In accents hushed the throng reply,
"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by."
In accents hushed the throng reply,
"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by."
Jesus! 'tis He who once below
Man's pathway trod, mid pain and woe;
And burdened ones, where'er He came,
Brought out their sick, and deaf, and lame.
The blind rejoiced to hear the cry,
"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by."
The blind rejoiced to hear the cry,
"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by."
Ho! all ye heavy laden, come!
Here's pardon, comfort, rest and home.
Ye wanderers from a Father's face,
Return, accept His proffered grace.
Ye tempted ones, there's refuge nigh:
"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by."
Ye tempted ones, there's refuge nigh:
"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by."
But if you still His call refuse,
And all His wondrous love abuse,
Soon will He sadly from you turn,
Your bitter prayer for pardon spurn.
"Too late, too late" will be the cry—
"Jesus of Nazareth has passed by."
"Too late, too late" will be the cry—
"Jesus of Nazareth has passed by."