"The Son of God Goes Forth to War"
                       by Reginald Heber, 1783-1826
                                Text From:
                            THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
               (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1941)



        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?
        Who best can drink His cup of woe,
        Triumphant over pain,
        Who patient bears his cross below--
        He follows in His train.

        2. 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?

        3. 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 the death to feel--
        Who follows in their train?

        4. A noble army, men and boys,
        The matron and the maid,
        Around the Savior's throne rejoice,
        In robes of light arrayed.
        They climbed the steep ascent of heav'n
        Thro' peril, toil, and pain.
        O God, to us may grace be giv'n
        To follow in their train!

        ________________________________________________
        Notes:
        Hymn #452 from _The Lutheran Hymnal_
        Text: 1 Timothy 6:12
        Author: Reginald Heber, 1827
        Composer: Henry S. Cutler, 1872
        Tune: "All Saints New"
______________________________________________________________________
        This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg
        by Marilyn F. Gardner and is in the public domain. You may
        freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any
        comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the
        Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary.

                        E-mail: bob_smith@ctsfw.edu

        Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA
           Phone: (219) 452-2148             Fax: (219) 452-2126
______________________________________________________________________