The Son of God goes forth to war

lyricist: Reginald Heber
Composer: Henry Stephen Cutler

The Son of God goes forth to war

A kingly crown to gain;

His blood-red banner streams afar:

Who follows in His train?

Who best can drink his cup of woe

Triumphant over pain

Who patient bears his cross below

He follows in His train.

The martyr first

whose eagle eye

Could pierce beyond the grave

Who saw his Master in the sky

And called to Him to save:

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?

A glorious band

the chosen few

On whom the Spirit came

Twelve valiant saints

their hope they knew

And mocked the cross and flame.

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?

A noble army

men and boys

The matron and the maid

Around the Savior’s throne rejoice

In robes of light arrayed.

They climbed by strength divine from heaven

Through peril

toil

and pain:

O God

to us may grace be given

To follow in their train.

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