The Son of God goes forth to war (Arthur Sullivan)

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  • (Posted 2010-08-09)  CPDL #22066:         
Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2010-08-09).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 62 kB   Copyright: CPDL
Edition notes: This version from the Church Hymnary, 1927.

General Information

Title: The Son of God goes forth to war
Composer: Arthur Sullivan
Tune: St Anne
Lyricist: Reginald Heber

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: SacredHymn   Meter: 86. 86 (C.M.)

Language: English
Instruments: Organ

First published: 1869
Description: A setting by Sullivan of William Croft's well-known tune, St Anne.

External websites:

Original text and translations

English.png English text

1. The Son of God goes forth to war,
 A kingly crown to gain;
 His blood-red banner streams afar:
 Who follows in His train?
2. Who best can drink his cup of woe,
 Triumphant over pain,
 Who patient bears his cross below,
 He follows in His train.

3. The martyr first, whose eagle eye
 Could pierce beyond the grave,
 Who saw his Master in the sky,
 And called on Him to save;
4. 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?

5. A glorious band, the chosen few
 On whom the Spirit came,
 Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew,
 And mocked the cross and flame;
6. They met the tyrant's brandished steel,
 The lion's gory mane,
 They bowed their necks the death to feel:
 Who follows in their train?

7. A noble army, men and boys,
 The matron and the maid,
 Around the Saviour's throne rejoice,
 In robes of light arrayed;
8. 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.