The New English Hymnal ‎#79

79. The royal banners forward go

1 The royal banners forward go,
The Cross shines forth in mystic glow,
Where he in flesh, our flesh who made,
Our sentence bore, our ransom paid.

2 Where deep for us the spear was dyed,
Life's torrent rushing from his side,
To wash us in that precious flood,
Where mingled water flowed, and blood.

3 Fulfilled is all that David told
In true prophetic song of old,
The universal Lord is he,
Who reigns and triumphs from the tree.

4 O Tree of beauty, Tree of light,
O Tree with royal purple dight,
Elect on whose triumphal breast
Those holy limbs should find their rest!

5 On whose dear arms, so widely flung,
The weight of this world's ransom hung,
The price of humankind to pay
And spoil the spoiler of his prey.

6 O Cross, our one reliance, hail!
So may thy power with us prevail
To give new virtue to the saint,
And pardon to the penitent.

7 To thee, eternal Three in One,
Let homage meet by all be done:
Whom by thy Cross thou dost restore,
Preserve and govern evermore. Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: The royal banners forward go
• Latin Title: Vexilla Regis prodeunt
• Author: Venantius Fortunatus, 530-609
• Translator: J. M. Neale, 1818-66
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986
• Scripture:
  Psalm 96:10
• Topic: The Christian Year: Passiontide; Office Hymn; Holy Cross Day: September 14th
• Notes: Alternative tune GONFALON ROYAL 128b

Tune Information

• Name: VEXILLA REGIS
• Key: e minor
• Copyright: Arr. by permission of Oxford University Press (from "English Hymnal," 1933)