Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary ‎#273

273. 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;
Amidst the nations, God, saith he,
Hath reigned and triumphed from the Tree.

4 O Tree of beauty, Tree of life,
O Tree with fruit of comforrt rife;
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 pow'r 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.

Text Information

• First Line: The royal banners forward go
• Title: The Royal Banners Forward Go
• Latin Title: Vexilla Regis prodeunt
• Author (sts. 1-4, 6): V. H. Fortunatus, 503-609
• Author (st. 5): Unknown
• Meter: L M
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1996
• Topic: Jesus, Our High Priest; Lent 5
• Source: Tr. composite

Tune Information

• Name: VEXILLA REGIS
• Arranger: D. Hurd, b. 1950
• Meter: L M
• Key: e minor or modal
• Copyright: Setting © David Hurd, b. 1950