RIDE ON, RIDE ON IN MAJESTY

As we prepare our folders for Palm Sunday, "Ride On, Ride On in Majesty" is one of those essential hymns that perfectly captures the bittersweet mood of Holy Week. The words paint the scene of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, with the crowds waving palms and shouting hosannas. Yet, beneath the joyful procession, there is a solemn awareness of what lies ahead. The repeated phrase "In lowly pomp ride on to die" reminds the choir and the congregation that this road of glory leads directly to the cross.

Musically, this arrangement gives the choir a steady, marching rhythm that feels like a true procession. The verses carry a dignified, almost regal tone, while the refrain builds with overlapping voices urging the procession forward. When we sing this during the Entrance or as the palms are blessed, it sets the exact spiritual tone needed for the beginning of Holy Week—a mix of high praise and deep reverence for the approaching sacrifice.