First Line: The Son of God goes forth to war,

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 Saviour's throne rejoice,
In robes of light arrayed,
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.