Lutheran Worship ‎#104

104. The Royal Banners Forward Go

1 The royal banners forward go;
The cross shows forth redemption's flow
Where he, by whom our flesh was made,
Our ransom in his flesh has 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 flowed the water and the blood.

3 Fulfilled is all that David told
In sure prophetic song of old,
That God the nations' king should be
And reign in triumph from the tree,

4 On whose hard 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.

5 To you, eternal Three in One,
Let homage meet by all be done,
By all you ransomed and restore;
Oh, guide and gladden evermore.

Text Information

• First Line: The royal banners forward go
• Title: The Royal Banners Forward Go
• Author (sts. 1-4): Venantius Honorius Fortunatus, 530-609
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1982
• Topic: Passion Week
• Source: Source unknown, st. 5; Tr. composite
• Notes: For the Vexilla Celebration the congregation sings stanzas 1, 3, an 5 to the chorale melody, and the choir sings stanzas 2 and 4 to the plainsong melody.

Tune Information

• Name: VEXILLA REGIS
• Meter: LM
• Key: d minor or modal
• Source: Sarum Plainsong, Mode I
• Copyright: Arrangement: Copyright 1982 Concordia Publishing House.