Scripture Verse

For those who fear You, You have raised a banner. Psalm 60:4

Introduction

Words: Je­re­mi­ah E. Ran­kin, 1886.

Music: Tas­so Cor­ben (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Cor­ben (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Jeremiah E. Rankin (1828–1904)

Lyrics

Keep your colors flying,
All ye Chris­tian youth,
To Christ’s call replying,
Full of grace and truth.
Rise in strength and beauty,
In life’s morning glow,
Answer to each duty,
Onward, upward go.

Refrain

Keep your colors flying,
Stand for God and truth,
Keep your colors flying,
All ye Chris­tian youth.

Life is all before you
Where to choose your way,
Keep Christ’s colors o’er you;
Watch and fight and pray,
With a firm endeavor,
Ev’ry foe defy,
True to Je­sus ever,
Lift your colors high.

Refrain

Keep your colors flying,
Never think of ease;
Sin and self denying,
Jesus only please.
Not for worldly pleasure,
Not for worldly fame,
Not for heaps of treasure,
Live for Je­sus’ name!

Refrain

Keep your colors flying,
Walk as Je­sus did;
In Him living, dying,
Let your life be hid;
Hoping, trusting, ever,
Breathe this mortal breath;
You shall live for­ev­er,
Christ has conquered death.

Refrain