Ride On, Ride On In Majesty

“Ride On, Ride On in Majesty!” is a Palm Sunday hymn written by Henry Hart Milman. It celebrates Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, capturing both the triumph and the shadow of His coming suffering. The hymn imagines the crowds crying “Hosanna” and laying down palms, yet it foresees that the same King who comes in majesty will go to sacrifice. It balances majesty and humility, conveying the tension of victory and impending sacrifice.

The hymn was first published in Hymns Written and Adapted to the Weekly Church Service of the Year by Reginald Heber in 1827. Over the years it has become one of the most frequently used hymns on Palm Sunday in many Christian traditions. Its poetic text and vivid imagery draw worshippers into the meaning of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, reminding them that His path leads to the cross but also to triumph.

Musically, it is typically sung to the tune “Winchester New” (a version now commonly used), or sometimes “St. Drostane.” It uses the meter LM (Long Metre, 88 88). The tune “Winchester New” gives it a dignified, processional feel suitable for the solemn yet celebratory nature of Palm Sunday.