Lyrics

On Pentecost the Spirit came, in tongues of fire and flame,
The Twelve arose, the world was changed, they preached the Savior’s Name.
Through storm and trial, land and sea, the Gospel they made known,
Their blood became the holy seed from which the Church has grown.

Chorus
O glorious band, Apostles bright,
Foundations of the Church in light!
From age to age your witness rings,
Christ is the Lord, the King of kings!

Peter the Rock in Rome was crowned, upon the cross he died,
He glorified the Lord he loved, no longer could he hide.

Andrew, called the First-called one, in Greece received the Cross,
He hailed its beams with joy and love, and counted life no loss.

James the Greater preached in Spain, and Herod drew the sword,
First of the Twelve to taste the cup, he died to serve the Lord.

John the Beloved, virgin pure, in Ephesus grew old,
He gave the Gospel, and the Word in visions he foretold.

Chorus
O glorious band, Apostles bright,
Foundations of the Church in light!
From age to age your witness rings,
Christ is the Lord, the King of kings!

Philip in Phrygia preached the truth, and on the cross was slain,
Yet in his death the nations learned Christ’s Kingdom shall remain.

Bartholomew in distant lands the Scriptures he made known,
In Armenia he shed his blood, his body flayed and sown.

Thomas, once doubting, sailed afar to India’s farthest shore,
By spear was crowned a martyr there, in faith forevermore.

Matthew, who left the taxman’s seat, the Gospel he did give,
In Ethiopia bore his cross, in Christ he died to live.

Chorus
O glorious band, Apostles bright,
Foundations of the Church in light!
From age to age your witness rings,
Christ is the Lord, the King of kings!

James the Lesser, just and wise, Jerusalem his field,
From Temple’s height they cast him down, yet Christ was still his shield.

Simon the Zealot, fervent flame, in Persia’s trials stood,
By crucifixion bore his crown, and sealed it with his blood.

Jude, called Thaddeus, faithful guide, proclaimed the faith once more,
In Persia too he gave his life, confessing Christ adored.

Matthias, chosen to restore the sacred apostolic band,
In Juda’s land he bore his cross, and passed to God’s right hand.

Final Chorus (soaring, layered)
O glorious band, Apostles bright,
Foundations of the Church in light!
Through every storm, through sword and flame,
You bore the Cross, you preached His Name!
O pillars strong, forever true,
The Church exults in praise of you!
And to the Lord all voices sing:
Christ is the Lord, the King of kings!