Author: Venantius Fortunatus, 530-609; John Mason Neale, 1818-66; Anonmous Hymnal: Worship Supplement #729 (1969) Meter: 8.8.8.8 Lyrics: 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 the precious flood
Where mingled water flowed and blood.
3 Fulfilled is all that David told
In true prophetic song of old;
Amid the nations, God, said he,
Has reigned and triumphed 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!
Still may your power with us avail
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 the cross thou dost restore,
Preserve, and govern evermore. Amen.
*dight = adorned
Topics: The Christian Year Good Friday Tune Title: THE KING'S BANNER
The Royal Banners Forward Go