Fling wide the gates - Procession to Calvary (Stainer) - Cantate Domino

Fling wide the gates, for the Saviour waits
 to tread in His royal way;
he has come from above, in His power and love,
 to die on the Passion Day.

His Cross is the sign of a love divine,
 his Crown is the thorn-wreath of woe,
he bears His load on the sorrowful road,
 and bends 'neath the burden low.

How sweet is the grace of His sacred face,
 and lovely beyond compare,
though weary and worn with the merciless scorn
 of a world He has come to spare.

The burden of wrong that earth bears along,
 past evil, and evil to be, -
all sins of man since the world began,
 they are laid, dear Lord, on Thee.

Then on to the end, my God and my Friend,
 with Thy banner lifted high!
Thou art come from above in Thy power and love,
 to endure and suffer and die.