Palm Sunday

The royal banners forward go,

The Cross shines forth in mystic glow,

Where Life Himself our death endured

And by His death our life procured.

Where deep for us the spear was dyed,

Life's torrent rushing from His side,

To wash us in that precious flood,

Where mingled water flowed, and blood.

Fulfilled is all that David told

In true prophetic song of old

To all the nations: 'God,' saith he,

'Hath reigned and triumphed from the Tree.'

O Tree of beauty, Tree of light,

O Tree with royal purple dight,

Elect on whose triumphal breast

Those holy limbs should find their rest!

On whose dear arms, so widely flung,

The weight of this world's ransom hung;

The price of human kind to pay,

And spoil the spoiler of his prey.

O Cross, our one reliance, hail!

This holy Passiontide avail

To give new virtue to the saint

And pardon to the penitent.

To Thee, eternal Three in One,

Let homage meet by all be done;

As by the Cross Thou dost restore,

So rule and guide us evermore.

Amen.