Faithful cross! above all other,
one and only noble tree!
None in foliage, none in blossom,
none in fruit thy peer may be!
Sweetest wood and sweetest iron!
Sweetest weight is hung on thee.

1 Sing, my tongue, how glorious battle
glorious victory became,
and above the cross, his trophy,
tell the triumph and the fame,
tell how he, the world's Redeemer,
by his death for us o'ercame.

2 Thirty years among us dwelling,
his appointed time fulfilled,
born for this, he meets his Passion,
for that this he freely willed:
on the cross the Lamb is lifted,
where his life-blood shall be spilled.

3 Thou alone wast counted worthy
this world's ransom to uphold;
for a shipwrecked race preparing
harbor, like the ark of old;
with the sacred blood anointed
from the smitten Lamb that rolled.

4 Unto God be laud and honor,
to the Father, to the Son,
to the mighty Spirit, glory,
ever Three and ever One;
pow'r and glory in the highest
while eternal ages run.