Lift High the Cross

Lift High the Cross
George W. Kitchin and Michael R. Newbolt

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim
till all the world adore his sacred name.
Come, Christians, follow this triumphant sign.
The hosts of God in unity combine.

The Anglican Church, especially in large England cathedrals beginning in the 19th century, is known for elaborate and colorful processions, particularly on major feast days. Some of our favorite hymns were composed with processionals in mind.

“Lift high the cross” joins these earlier contributions as one of the great processional hymns in the Anglican tradition. The original version with 11 stanzas plus refrain was written for a festival service under the auspices of an important mission organization, the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, held in Winchester Cathedral in 1887 by George William Kitchen (1883-1894), Dean of the Cathedral.

Kitchen’s original was altered by Anglican priest Michael Robert Newbolt (1874-1956), who later became Canon of Chester Cathedral, for the Supplement to Hymns Ancient and Modern (1916). Through this publication the hymn has gained prominence around the English-speaking world.

“Lift high the cross” incorporates an important feature of processionals: the crucifer (cross-bearer) leads the stately procession down the long nave, lifting the cross high. This ritual use of the cross is a sign of the victory of the resurrection and finds a biblical basis in John 12:32, “And I, when I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself” (RSV).

The hymn did not find voice in the United States until it was published in Hymns for the Living Church (1974), edited by hymnologist and professor Donald P. Hustad. Since that time, “Lift high the cross” has become a staple of many hymnals.

Lift High the Cross 

Blessings,
Dorene

Source: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-lift-high-the-cross