Lift High the Cross

[HelenaZF]

Lift High the Cross



Palm Sunday always tends to be a bit  liturgically awkward  Here we are in the middle of Lent, waiting patiently for Easter, when suddenly there is a short burst of festivity before we head into the darkest week of the church year. It seems wrong to add our voices to the crowd of palm wavers when we know they (we?) will be calling for Jesus's death in five short days. The poignant tension between Christ's triumphal entry and his impending betrayal and crucifixion are captured well in the hymn Lift High the Cross. On the one hand, Sydney Nicholson's tune, Crucifer, is a triumphant march that captures all the excitement of the Palm Sunday procession. On the other hand, George Kitchen's text fixes its unswerving gaze on the cross, the ultimate symbol of loss. The text and tune together synthesize a powerful theology of the cross, in which victory is won through weakness and life is gained through death. It is also a call for us to follow Jesus faithfully, even when the path will be dark and painful.




Refrain:

Lift high the cross,
the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore
his sacred Name.

Come, brethren, follow where our Captain trod,
our King victorious, Christ the Son of God.
Refrain

Led on their way by this triumphant sign,
the hosts of God in conquering ranks combine. Refrain
Each newborn soldier of the Crucified
bears on the brow the seal of him who died.
Refrain

This is the sign which Satan's legions fear
and angels veil their faces to rever. Refrain
Saved by this Cross whereon their Lord was slain,
the sons of Adam their lost home regain.
Refrain
From north and south, from east and west they raise
in growing unison their songs of praise.
Refrain

O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
as thou hast promised, draw the world to thee. Refrain
Let every race and every language tell
of him who saves our souls from death and hell.
Refrain

From farthest regions let their homage bring,
and on his Cross adore their Savior King. Refrain
Set up thy throne, that earth's despair may cease
beneath the shadow of its healing peace.
Refrain

For thy blest Cross which doth for all atone
creation's praises rise before thy throne.
Refrain


Some take issue with the triumphalist message of the lyrics and prefer one of the rewritten versions. Personally, I don't find in any of them the majesty and poetry of the lyrics above, but perhaps you might be interested in one of the better ones. Verses  by Shirley Erena Murray:

[same melody as above]



Refrain:
Lift high the cross,
the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore
his sacred Name.

Come, Christian people, sing your praises, shout!
If we are silent, even stones cry out.
Refrain


Jesus, you wept to see our human strife,
teach us compassion for each human life. Refrain
Peace was your plea and peace your loving theme:
let peace be our passport, peace a living dream. Refrain

Great is the cost of walking on this road,
to follow and suffer with the Son of God. Refrain
Worlds to be born and children yet to be,
come, take up this song into eternity. Refrain