75a. The royal banners forward go

1 The royal banners forward go,
The Cross shows forth in mystic glow
Where he, as man, who gave man breath,
Now bows beneath the yoke of death.

2 Fulfilled is all that David told
In true prophetic song of old;
How God the nations' King should be,
For God is reigning from the Tree. A-men.

3 O Tree of beauty, Tree most fair,
Ordained those holy limbs to bear:
Gone is thy shame, each crimsoned bough
Proclaims the King of glory now.

4 Blest Tree, whose chosen branches bore
The wealth that did the world restore,
The price of humankind to pay,
And spoil the spoiler of his prey.

5 O Cross, our one reliance, hail!
Still may thy power with us avail
More good for righteous souls to win,
And save the sinner from his sin.

6 To Thee, eternal Three in One,
Let homage meet by all be done:
As by the Cross thou dost restore,
So rule and guide us evermore.

Amen.

Text Information
First Line: The royal banners forward go
Author Verses 1 - 4: Venantius Fortunatus, 530-609
Author Verses 5, 6: Anonymous
Language: English
Publication Date: 1958
Topic: The Church Year: Lent; The Church Year: Palm Sunday; The Church Year: Holy Week
Source: Translation Episcopal Hymnal, 1940
Tune Information
Name: VEXILLA REGIS PRODEUNT
Arranger: Ernest White, b. 1899
Key: e minor
Source: Plainsong Melody, Mode I



Media
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us