The Son of God Goes Forth to War

419 The Son of God Goes Forth to War

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. That 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 heads the death to feel:
   Who follows in their train?
                         Reginal Heber
                         The Methodist Hymnal, 1964 edition

<idle musing>
I don't recall ever singing this hymn, but it appears in more than 840 hymnals. As I was reading this, I was sure there would be more verses; it just seems to require them. Well, Cyberhymnal adds only one. I was expecting a parade of witnesses type of verses, but I guess this one sums them all up:

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,
   Through peril, toil and pain;
   O God, to us may grace be giv’n,
   To follow in their train.

</idle musing>