Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matthew 24:30
Words: Sabine Baring-Gould, in the Church Times, 1866.
Music: Groombridge W. J. Whitwhell, in The English Hymnal (London: Oxford University Press, 1906), number 592 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know Whitwell’s full name, or where to get a good photo of him (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Hail the Sign, the Sign of Jesus,
Bright and royal Tree!
Standard of the Monarch, planted
First on Calvary!
Refrain
Hail the Sign all signs excelling,
Hail the Sign all ills dispelling,
Hail the Sign hell’s power quelling,
Cross of Christ, all hail!
Sign the martyrs’ strength and refuge,
Sign to saints so dear!
Sign of evil men abhorrèd,
Sign which devils fear:
Refrain
Sign which, when the Lord returneth,
In the heavens shall be;
Sinners quail, while saints with rapture
Shall the vision see:
Refrain
Lo, I sign the cross of Jesus
Meekly on my breast;
May it guard my heart when living,
Dying be its rest:
Refrain
In the name of God the Father,
Name of God the Son,
Name of God the blessèd Spirit,
Ever Three in One:
Refrain