The royal banners forward go,
the cross shines forth in mystic glow;
where he in flesh, our flesh who made,
our sentence bore, our ransom paid.

There whilst he hung, his sacred side,
By soldier's spear was open'd
To cleanse us in the precious flood,
Of water mingled with his blood.

Fulfilled is all that David told
in true prophetic song of old,
amidst the nations, God, saith he,
hath reigned and triumphed from the
tree.

O tree of glory, tree most fair,
Ordain'd those holy limbs to bear,
How bright in purple robe it stood,
The purple of a saviour's blood.

Upon its arms, like balance true,
he weighed the price for sinners due,
the price which none but he could pay,
and spoiled the spoiler of his prey.

To thee, eternal Three in One,
let homage meet by all be done:
As by the cross you do restore,
So rule, and guide us evermore.