While I am finding the occasional Australian hymn in the New Living Parish Hymn Book, I am more finding the sort of hymns still being suggested to be played in the 1980s in Australian Catholic churches.
I’ve done this rather militaristic hymn before here and also Shirley Erena Murray’s thoughtful rewrite. (The text for that is at Hope.)
The text here is Michael Newbolt‘s revision of George Kitchin‘s original words and set to CRUCIFER by Sydney Nicholson. The verse modulates up from C to D, which allows for the big return to the chorus.
I have seen many variants in the text with many different verses – up to twelve in all – the words below are from this hymnal.
I made a more stirring organ backing on BIAB:
Refrain:
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore his sacred name.
- Come, people, follow where our captain trod,
Our King victorious, Christ the Son of God:- Led on their way by this triumphant sign,
The hosts of God in conquering ranks combine:- Each newborn soldier of the Crucified bears
On his brow the seal of him who died:- From north and south, from east and west they raise
In growing unison their song of praise:- O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
As thou hast promised, draw us unto thee:- From farthest regions let them homage bring,
And on his cross adore their Saviour King:- So shall our song of triumph ever be:
“Praise to the Crucified for victory”.
A suitably victorious Anglican version:
Catholics are more modest:
The congregational choir and assembly are great, as is their organist:
Presbyterian:
Evangelical:
I think the Anglicans win for the most triumphalist version – brass seems the kicker for this one.
I haven’t seen a hymnal with a Christian warfare section before:
