The flaming banners of our King

Music-control panel  or New window

The flaming banners of our King
advance through his self-offering.
He lived to rob death of its sting;
he died eternal life to bring.

A Roman soldier drew a spear
to mix his blood with water clear.
That blood retains its living power;
the water cleanses to this hour.

The crowd would have been satisfied
to see a prophet crucified.
They stumbled on a mystery:
Messiah reigning from a tree.

With what strange light the rough trunk shone,
its purple limbs a royal throne,
its load a royal treasury:
the ransom of a world set free.

The best are shamed before that wood;
the worst gain power to be good.
O grant, most blessed Trinity,
that all may share the victory.

Venantius Honorius Fortunatus, words
Music:Vexilla Regis Prodeunt (12th cent.)
Sequence: Cathouse Pandemonium, Ltd.