1 WHAT means this eager, anxious throng,
Which moves with busy haste along,
These wondrous gatherings day by day,
What means this strange commotion, pray?
ln accents hushed the throng reply,
"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by!"
2 Who is this Jesus? why should he
The city move so mightily?
A passing stranger, has he skill
To charm the multitude at will?
Again the stirring tongues reply,
"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by! "
3 Jesus! 'tis he who once below
Mans 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 of Nazareth passeth by"
4 Again he comes! from place to place
His holy footsteps we can trace;
He pauses at our threshold, nay,
He enters, condescends to stay;
Shall we not gladly raise the cry?
"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by."
5 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, there's a refuge nigh,
"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by."
6 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 your cry,
Jesus of Nazareth has passed by.