The Manliest Hymn Ever Written

We've been singing a verse of a hymn lately at our meals before we pray. It is a different thing to sing to the Lord before you pray to Him as it fills your heart before you pray, it seems to be a good and healthy tradition. Anyways, at least John seems to look at us with a half smile/astonishment that both of his parents are singing, so he is seems to be enjoying it as well.

So, in picking out the hymns we sing I was looking through our hymn book and re-discovered what I like to call, "The Manliest Hymn Ever Written". The lyrics are particularly Christian, particularly New Testament truth focused, particularly Jesus-like, and thus particularly manly.

Notice the difference between a Christian martyr and a Muslim martyr. One dies praying and forgiving the one who is killing him in order that his killer's soul might be saved and does this by his master's (Jesus) command and example. The other kills others in order to establish his place in paradise at his master's (Muhammad) command and example.

The Son of God Goes Forth To War
The Son of God goes forth to war, a kingly crown to gain
His blood-red banner streams a far: Who follows in His train?
Who best can drink his cup of woe, Triumphant over pain,
Who patient bears his cross below, He follows in His train.

The martyr first, whose eagle eye could pierce beyond the grave,
Who 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 train?

A glorious band, the chosen few on whom the Spirit came,
Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew,
and 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 train?

A noble army, men and boys, the matron and the maid,
Around the Savior's throne rejoice, in robes of light arrayed:
They climbed the steep ascent of heaven through peril, toil, and pain;
O God, to us may grace be given to follow in their train.