The Hymnal ‎#271b

271b. The Son of God goes forth to war

1 The Son of God goes forth to war,
A kingly crown to gain;
His blood-red banner streams afar:
Who follows in His train?
The Son of God, goes forth to war,
Who best can drink his cup of woe,
Triumphant over pain,
Who patient bears his cross below,
He follows in His train.

2 The martyr first, whose eagle eye
Could pierce beyond the grave,
Who saw his Master in the sky,
And called on Him to save:
The Son of God, goes forth to war,
Like Him, with pardon on his tongue
In midst of mortal pain,
He prayed for them that did the wrong:
Who follows in his train?

3 A glorious band, the chosen few
On whom the Spirit came,
Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew,
And mocked the cross and flame:
The Son of God, goes forth to war,
They met the tyrant's brandished steel,
The lion's gory mane;
They bowed their necks the death to feel:
Who follows in their train?

4 A noble army, men and boys,
The matron and the maid,
Around the Saviour's throne rejoice,
In robes of light arrayed:
The Son of God, goes forth to war,
They climbed the steep ascent of heaven
Through peril, toil, and pain:
O God, to us may grace be given
To follow in their train!

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: The Son of God goes forth to war
• Author: Bishop Reginald Heber (1827)
• Meter: C. M. D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1950
• Topic: The Life in Christ: Loyalty and Courage; All Saints' Day; Christ: Captain, Our; Christ: Son of God; Conflict With Sin; Courage and Loyalty; Loyalty and Courage; Processionals; Recessionals; Soldiers of Christ; Zeal

Tune Information

• Name: CRUSADER
• Composer: Samuel B. Whitney (1889)
• Meter: C. M. D.
• Key: A♭ Major