The Son of God Goes Forth to War

1The Son of God goes forth to war,
A kingly crown to gain;
His bloodred 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.

2The martyr, first whose eagle eye Could pierce beyond the grave,
Who saw his Master in the sky,
And called on 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?

3A 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 stroke to feel;
Who follows in their train?

4A noble army, men and boys,
The matron and the maid,
Around the Saviour's throne rejoice,
In robes of light arrayed;
They climbed the steep ascent of heaven Through peril, toil, and pain— O God, to us may grace be given To follow in their train.