Together in Song ‎#332

332. The royal banners forward go

1 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.

2 There while 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.

3 Fulfilled is now what David told
in true prophetic song of old,
how God the nations' king should be:
for God is reigning from the tree.

4 O tree of glory, tree most fair,
ordained those holy limbs to bear,
how bright in royal robe it stood -
the purple of a Saviour's blood!

5 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.

6 To you, eternal Three in One,
let homage due by all be done;
as by the cross you now restore,
so rule and guide us evermore.

Text Information

• First Line: The royal banners forward go
• Author: Venantius Fortunatus, 530-609
• Translator: John Mason Neale, 1818-66 (alt.)
• Meter: LM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1999
• Scripture:
  1 Peter 2:24-25
  ;
  Colossians 2:9-15
  ;
  Galatians 3:11-14
  ;
  John 19:31-38
• Topic: Atonement; Fulfilment; Jesus Christ: Passion and Cross; Prophetic Witness; Redemption

Tune Information

• Name: GONFALON ROYAL
• Composer: Percy Carter Buck, 1871-1947
• Meter: 88.88
• Key: G Major
• Copyright: Music by permission of Oxford University Press