- 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 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?
- 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 their 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 array’d.
- 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! Amen.