The Son of God Goes Forth to War

This a song for your next men's bible study. For those who truly believe that worship is warfare, here is "The Son of God Goes Forth to War." This version is a different tune than the one found in the Trinity Hymnal. This tune is called Greyoaks and was written by Gregory Wilbur (I think).

      Em                        C         D       Em        D          Em

The Son of God goes forth to war, A kingly crown to gain;

      Em                         C         D             Em     D          B
His blood red banner streams afar: Who follows in His train?

Em     D         G/B        A       Em         G             B     Em
Who best can drink his cup of woe, Triumphant over pain,

         Em                      D      A              G            B    Em
Who patient bears his cross below, He follows in His train.

         Em                         C      D              Em           D         Em

That martyr first, whose eagle eye Could pierce beyond the grave;
        Em                  C         D            Em           D        B
Who saw his Master in the sky, And called on Him to save.
Em     D            G/B    A          Em           G            B       Em
Like Him, with pardon on His tongue, In midst of mortal pain,
       Em                          D            A                G            B    Em
He prayed for them that did the wrong: Who follows in His train?

      Em                        C       D           Em           D      Em

A glorious band, the chosen few On whom the Spirit came;
              Em                         C               D               Em              D            B
Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew, And mocked the cross and flame.
Em    D          G/B          A           Em           G       B     Em
They met the tyrant’s brandished steel, The lion’s gory mane;
         Em                                D         A              G            B    Em
They bowed their heads the death to feel: Who follows in their train?

    Em              C            D              Em     D          Em

A noble army, men and boys, The matron and the maid,
   Em                         C         D             Em        D          B
Around the Savior’s throne rejoice, In robes of light arrayed.
Em     D               G/B        A       Em                        G     B         Em
They climbed the steep ascent of Heav’n, Through peril, toil and pain;
    Em                      D          A              G            B   Em
O God, to us may grace be given, To follow in their train.


I find that most men have trouble singing the high note on the word "Who" in the third line. Because of this, I have posted the first verse below in the key of D minor; one whole step down.

      Dm                        Bb        C       Dm       C          Dm

The Son of God goes forth to war, A kingly crown to gain;

      Dm                        Bb         C             Dm     C          A
His blood red banner streams afar: Who follows in His train?

Dm     C         F/A        G       Dm         F             A     Dm
Who best can drink his cup of woe, Triumphant over pain,

         Dm                      C      G              F            A    Dm
Who patient bears his cross below, He follows in His train.