O tree of glory: sweetest wood, sweetest iron, sweetest weight

Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle; of the mighty conflict sing;
tell the triumph of the victim, to his cross thy tribute bring.
Jesus Christ, the world’s Redeemer from that cross now reigns as King.

Thirty years among us dwelling, his appointed time fulfilled,
born for this, he meets his passion, this the Savior freely willed:
on the cross the Lamb is lifted, where his precious blood is spilled.

He endures the nails, the spitting, vinegar, and spear, and reed;
from that holy body broken blood and water forth proceed:
earth, and stars, and sky, and ocean, by that flood from stain are freed.

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

Bend thy boughs, O tree of glory! Thy relaxing sinews bend;
for a while the ancient rigor that thy birth bestowed, suspend;
and the King of heavenly beauty gently on thine arms extend.

Praise and honor to the Father, praise and honor to the Son,
praise and honor to the Spirit, ever Three and ever One:
one in might and one in glory while eternal ages run.



Words. Venantius Honorius Forunantus (540?-600?) John Mason Neale (1818-1866)