144. The royal banners forward go
L.M.
Vexilla Regis (Sarum):
Sarum Plainsong, Mode I
Vexilla Regis (Parker):
Horatio Parker
Latin; Venantius Fortunatus (530-609);
Tr. John Mason Neale, 1851
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. | There whilst he hung, his sacred side By soldier's spear was opened wide, To cleanse us in the precious flood Of water mingled with his blood. | Fulfilled is now what David told In true prophetic song of old, How God the heathen's King should be; For God is reigning from the tree. | O tree of glory, tree most fair, Ordained those holy limbs to bear, How bright in purple robe it stood, The purple of a Savior's blood! | Upon its arms, like balance true, He weighed the price for sinners due, The price which none but he could pay, And spoiled the spoiler of his prey. | 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. | |