The Son of God goes forth to war A royal priesthood and a kingdom and crown to gain His blood-red banner streams to every nation tribe and tongue Who follows in His lead? Who else can drink His cup of woe? Triumphant over pain Who patient bears his cross below He follows in His lead! Can you hear His call? Rise up! For when the Son of God goes forth to war Who will follow in His lead? When the Son of God goes forth to war Who will follow in His lead? The martyr first, whose eagle eye Could pierce beyond the grave He 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 lead? A glorious band the chosen few On whom the Holy Spirit came Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew But mocked the cross and flame They met the tyrant's brandished steel The lion's gory mane They bowed their necks, the death to feel Who follows in their lead? Can you hear His call? Rise up! For when the Son of God goes forth to war Who will follow in his lead? Who’ll drink His cup of woe? Triumphant over pain! Who’ll bear his cross below? He follows in His lead! Who will follow in His lead? Take your stand, noble men! The gates of hell will not prevail! Lead your families against the darkness of this world! The gates of hell will not prevail! Can you hear His call? Who will follow in His lead? An army of men and boys The matron and the maid Around the throne rejoice In robes of light arrayed They climbed the ascent to Heaven Through peril toil and pain May grace to us be given To follow in their lead! O God, to us may grace be given, to follow in their lead! When the Son goes forth to war!