Brightly Gleams Our Banner

Brightly gleams our banner, pointing to the sky,
Waving on Christ’s soldiers to their home on high.
Marching through the desert, gladly thus we pray,
Still with hearts united, singing on our way.

Refrain

Brightly gleams our banner, pointing to the sky,
Waving on Christ’s soldiers to their home on high.

Pattern of our childhood, once Thyself a child,
Make our childhood holy, pure and meek and mild.
In the hour of danger whither can we flee,
Save to Thee, dear Savior, only unto Thee?

Refrain

Jesus, Lord and Master, at Thy sacred feet,
Here, with hearts rejoicing, see Thy children meet.
Often have we left Thee, often gone astray;
Keep us, mighty Savior, in the narrow way.

Refrain

All our days direct us in the way we go;
Lead us on victorious over every foe:
Bid Thine angels shield us when the storm clouds lower,
Pardon, Lord, and save us in the last dread hour.

Refrain

Then with saints and angels may we join above,
Offering prayers and praises at Thy throne of love.
When the toil is over, then comes rest and peace,
Jesus in His beauty! Songs that never cease!

Refrain

Author: Thomas Joseph Potter

Year: 1860

Commonly attributed to Thomas Joseph Potter (1828–1873), an English Roman Catholic priest and hymnwriter. The text first appeared in a Roman Catholic collection around 1860; some later hymnals have listed it as anonymous or made minor alterations.