Writing this hymn has been on my wishlist for a while. There aren't enough processional hymns that everyone knows, that are easy to sing, that tell the Palm Sunday story and which have an easy-to-remember chorus. Please feel free to use, photocopy, tweak, etc etc.
So here we are....
The tune is Cwm Rhondda (Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer).
By the road the Hebrew children
Waving branches in their hands
Come and greet the great Messiah,
Singing praise at God’s command.
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna,
sing Hosanna to the King;
sing Hosanna to the King of Kings.
This Messiah rides a donkey,
Not a chariot or a horse.
Jesus is a humble leader
“Prince of Peace”, not “Czar of War”
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna,
sing Hosanna to the King;
sing Hosanna to the King of Kings.
Come and greet the New Messiah!
Come and greet the one who saves!
See the man who cured the lepers
And raised Laz’rus from the grave!
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna,
sing Hosanna to the King;
sing Hosanna to the King of Kings.
Wave your palms and wave your olives,
Wave your branches, shout and sing.
Spread your cloaks upon the roadway
like a carpet for a king.
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna,
sing Hosanna to the King;
sing Hosanna to the King of Kings.
Blessed is the coming kingdom
Blessed is the coming King
He who enters in the Lord’s name
Our salvation he will bring.
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna,
sing Hosanna to the King;
sing Hosanna to the King of Kings.
Prophets had foretold his coming,
Riding on a donkey’s foal,
Battle-bows will soon be broken,
Love and peace will be his goal.
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna,
sing Hosanna to the King;
sing Hosanna to the King of Kings.
Pharisees will hate this tumult
And the praises of the crowd.
Yet if children cease their singing
then the rocks will cry aloud.
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna,
sing Hosanna to the King;
sing Hosanna to the King of Kings.
Come and join this joyful movement!
Bring a royal diadem!
Why do you not want to join us
Leaders of Jerusalem?
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna,
sing Hosanna to the King;
sing Hosanna to the King of Kings.
Jesus weeps upon the city,
“I would hold you in my arms
like a mother holds her children,
Keep you safe from war and harm”
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna,
sing Hosanna to the King;
sing Hosanna to the King of Kings.
Overturn the swindlers tables
Make my house a house of prayer
For the people of all nations
Every soul that loves and cares.
Sing Hosanna, sing Hosanna,
sing Hosanna to the King;
sing Hosanna to the King of Kings.
Sue Wallace, 2018.
