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.”


Who is this Jesus? Why should he,
The city move so mightily?
A passing stranger has he skill,
To move the multitude at will?
Again the stirring notes reply,
“Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.”
Again the stirring notes 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.”


Today, as then, from place to place,
His holy footprints we can trace;
He pauseth at our threshold, may,
He enters, condescends to stay.
Shall we not gladly raise the cry:
“Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.”
Shall we not gladly raise the cry:
“Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.”


Ho! All ye heavy laden, come!
Here’s pardon, comfort, rest, and home;
Ye wanderers from the 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.”