Vexilla regis prodeunt

On September 14 the Church celebrates the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Vexilla regis prodeunt, a hymn from the early Middle Ages, was written for the transportation of a relic of the True Cross which was moved in procession to Poitiers in 569 AD. The famous poet Fortunatus was commissioned by Queen Radegunda to write the hymn for its arrival.

The hymn’s title, also its first line, can be translated as “the Royal Banner forward goes.” A royal standard, often used in battle during the Middle Ages, is here a reference to the Cross. This association reveals Fortunatus’s desire to link the Crucifixion with military victory. One commentator has suggested that as vexilla “are the military standards of kings and princes, so the vexille of Christ are the…instruments of the Passion ‘with which He fought against the old enemy and cast forth the prince of this world.’” ¹

The militant character of the hymn is especially brought to the fore in the version linked below. The use of the drone in the first verse, as well as the use of parallel organum in the second verse, give the hymn a particularly medieval feel, which we often associate with battle. This arrangement of the hymn complements the references to kingship and militarism used by Fortunatus in its lyrics.

Translation

Abroad the regal banners fly,
now shines the Cross's mystery:
upon it Life did death endure,
and yet by death did life procure.

Who, wounded with direful spear,
did purposely to wash us clear
from stain of sin, pour out a flood
of precious water mixed with blood.

That which the prophet-king of old
hath in mysterious verse foretold,
is now accomplished, whilst we see
God ruling the nations from a Tree.

O lovely and refulgent Tree,
adorned with purpled majesty;
culled from a worthy stock, to bear
those limbs which sanctified were.

Blest Tree, whose happy branches bore
the wealth that did the world restore;
the beam that did that Body weigh
which raised up Hell's expected to prey.

Hail Cross, of hopes the most sublime!
Now on this triumphant day;
grant to the just increase of grace,
and every sinner's crimes efface.

Blest Trinity, salvation's spring
may every soul Thy praises sing;
to those Thou grantest conquest by
the Holy Cross, rewards supply.

Amen. 

1. Henry, Hugh. "Vexilla Regis Prodeunt." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 15. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. www.newadvent.org.