The Prayer the Royal Banners Forward Go

The royal banners forward go;

The Cross shines forth in mystic glow,

Where Life for sinners death endured,

And life by death for man 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;

"Amidst 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,

Thou glory of the saved, avail (see note below)

To give fresh merit to the Saint,

And pardon to the penitent.

To Thee, Eternal Three in One,

Let homage meet by all be done;

Whom by the Cross Thou dost restore,

Preserve and govern evermore.

Amen.

(Note: During Passiontide, instead of saying, "Thou glory of the saved," say: "This holy Passiontide".

During the Paschal Season, say: "Thou joy of Eastertide".

During the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, say: "On this triumphant