A&M Hymn #96: The Royal Banners forward go
Complete lyrics, stanzas, and pipe organ accompaniment • Hymns Ancient & Modern
this season :
131 We know Thee Who Thou art.
133 When wounded sore the stricken heart
244 Lort>, when we bend before Thy
Throne.
245 "When at Thy footstool, Lord, I bend.
250 Out of the deep I call.
251 Saviour, when in dust to Thee.
252 Weary of earth and laden with my sin.
254 Art thou weary, art thou languid.
259 Thy life was given for me.
263 Take up thy cros3, the Saviour said.
233 A few more years shall roll.
465 Litany of Penitence. No. 2.
STijf Jrtftfj £untjau in Hcnt.
"The Royal Banners forward go,
The Cross shines forth in invsticglow ;
Where He in Flesh, our flesh Who
Our sentence bore, our ransom paid,
THE FIFTH S LIN HAY 1M LENT.
There whilst He hung, His sacred
By soldier's spear was open'd wide,
To cleanse us in the precious flood
Of Water mingled with His Blood.
In true prophetic sonii of old,
How God the heathen's King should
For God is reigning from the Tree.
The purple of a Saviour's Blood !
Upon its amis, like balance true,
He weigh'd the price for sinners due,
And spoil'd the spoiler of his prey.
To Thee, Eternal Thp.ee in One,
Let homage meet by all be done :
So rule and guide us evermore. Amen .
This Hymn may be sung daily till Thurs-
ay before Easter.
Sikg, my tongue, the glorious battle,
Sing the last, the dread affrav ;
O'er the Cross, the Victor's trophy,
T> How. the p uns of death enduring,
Earth's Redeemer won the clay.
He, our Maker, deeply grieving
When he ate the fruit forbidden
Whose reward was death and hell,
Mark'd e'en then this Tree the ruin
Thus the work for our salvation
He ordained to be done ;
To the traitor's art opposing
Thence the remedy procuring
Whence the fatal wound begun.
Therefore, when at length the fulness
He was sent, the world's Creator,
From the Father's heavenly home,
And was found in human fashion,
Lo ! He lies, an Infant weeping,
Where the narrow manger stands,
While the Mother-Maid His members
And the swaddling clothes is winding
Round His helpless Feet and Hands.
Now the thirty years accomplish'd
Born for this, He meets His Passion,
Gives Himself an Offering free ;
On the Cross the Lamb is lilted,
There the nails and spear He suffers,
Vinegar, and call, and reed ;
From His sacred Body pierced
Precious flood, which all creation
From the stain of sin hath freed.
Faithful Cross, above all other
None in foliage, none in blossom,
None in fruit thy peer may be ;
Sweetest wood, and sweetest iron ;
Bend, 0 lofty Tree, thy branches,
Thy too rigid sinews bend ;
And awhile the stubborn hardness.
And the Limbs of Heav'n's high Mon-
Gently on thine aims extend,
?n/Thou alone was counted worthy
That a shipwreck'd race for ever
Might a port of refuge gain,
With the sacred Blood anointed
Praise and honour to the Father,
Praise and honour to the Son,
Praise and honour to the Spirit,
One in might, and One in glory,
While eternal ages run.
Background, Themes & Devotional Notes for "The Royal Banners forward go"
📜 Historical Background & Origin
This hymn is designated as Hymn #96 in the venerable Hymns Ancient & Modern (1889 Standard Edition). Originally compiled under the guidance of the Rev. Sir Henry Williams Baker and a committee of dedicated church musicians, this hymnal harmonized historic Latin, Greek, and German hymnody with classical English psalmody.
It has served as a primary liturgical hymnal for the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican and Episcopal communion for generations, renowned for its doctrinal clarity and reverent choral tradition.
🕊️ Devotional Themes & Reflection
Composed of 30 stanzas, the text centers on foundational biblical themes: adoration and praise to God, humble reliance upon divine grace, steadfast faith amid trials, and the everlasting hope of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Whether sung during Sunday corporate worship or read during family devotions and personal prayer, these stanzas guide the believer to reflect on God's unending mercies and steadfast faithfulness across every season of life.
🎼 Musical Structure & Liturgy
- Poetic Meter: L.M. (First Tune.)
- Stanza Structure: 30 Verses with cathedral pipe organ accompaniment
- Liturgical Placement: Suitable as an Opening Hymn of Praise, Call to Worship, Offertory, or Closing Doxology
- Pipe Organ Audio: Multi-verse accompaniment synthesized to support organists, choir rehearsals, and home worship
Take All 1,838 Hymns With Cathedral Organ Tunes Everywhere
Download the free offline Windows app with full 4-part harmony pipe organ accompaniments for both Sacred Songs & Solos and Hymns Ancient & Modern.