quote · Legacy record
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 who did the wrong,— Who follows in his train? A glorious band, the chosen few On whom the Spirit came! Twelve valiant saints, their hopes they knew, And mocked the cross and flame. They met the tyrant’s brandished steel, The lion’s gory mane; They bow’d their necks the death to feel,— Who follows in their train? A noble army—men and boys, The matron and the maid, Around their Saviour’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!
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 who did the wrong,— Who follows in his train? A glorious band, the chosen few On whom the Spirit came! Twelve valiant saints, their hopes they knew, And mocked the cross and flame. They met the tyrant’s brandished steel, The lion’s gory mane; They bow’d their necks the death to feel,— Who follows in their train? A noble army—men and boys, The matron and the maid, Around their Saviour’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!
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Bishop Heber (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 653 · printed citation: Bishop Heber · subject: WAR
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.