Lyrics
Verse 1
There’s a royal banner given for display
To the soldiers of the King;
As an ensign fair we lift it up today,
While as ransomed ones we sing.
Chorus
Marching on, marching on,
For Christ count everything but loss!
And to crown Him King, we’ll toil and sing,
Beneath the banner of the cross!
Verse 2
Though the foe may rage and gather as the flood,
Let the standard be displayed;
And beneath its folds, as soldiers of the Lord,
For the truth be not dismayed!
Verse 3
Over land and sea, wherever man may dwell,
Make the glorious tidings known;
Of the crimson banner now the story tell,
While the Lord shall claim His own!
Verse 4
When the glory dawns—’tis drawing very near,
It is hast’ning day by day—
Then before our King the foe shall disappear,
And the cross the world shall sway!
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
The Banner of the Cross is a marching hymn about carrying the standard of Christ. The first verse speaks of a royal banner given to the soldiers of the King, lifted up as an ensign by ransomed ones who sing. The refrain keeps marching on, counting everything but loss for Christ, and toiling and singing to crown Him King beneath the banner of the cross.
The second verse says that though the foe may rage like a flood, the standard should be displayed and soldiers of the Lord must not be dismayed. The third sends the glad news over land and sea so the story of the crimson banner is told, and the last looks forward to a dawning glory when the foe disappears and the cross sways the world. The themes follow Psalm 20:5, Philippians 3:8, Isaiah 59:19 and Matthew 28:19. The steady march rhythm and bold refrain give the hymn a determined, hopeful tone.
Related Scripture
- Psalm 20:5 God's people will lift up banners in the name of their God.
- Philippians 3:8 Paul counts everything as loss compared with knowing Christ.
- Matthew 28:19 Jesus sends His followers to make disciples of all nations.