Crown of Thorns (St. Louis IX)

Le roi Louis, le roi Louis
Par la croix, par la foi, par jésus-Christ
Le roi Louis, le roi Louis
France en armes, dieu conduit

Crowned in youth while the kingdom burned
Regent mother, lessons learned
Not raised for pride, not forged in greed
But trained to rule by Christ's decree

Justice first, the poor defended
Corrupt lords punished, wrongs amended
Under the oak he judged the land
King with gospel in his hand

Not tyranny
But righteous law
A servant king
Who feared God more

Stand, saint Louis
Crowned by heaven, sword of France
Knight of Christ in holy stance
Faith, honor, sacrifice
Not gold nor fame, but heaven's prize
The cross before his eyes

He built sainte-chapelle, crystal flame
To guard Christ's crown of thorned pain
Relics shining, altar throne
Paris crowned as rome's own son

Fed the poor with royal bread
Washed their feet, clothed the dead
A king who knelt before the weak
Strength in mercy, power meek

Royal blood
Yet humble heart
A monarch set
By saints apart

Stand, saint Louis
Builder of faith, defender of truth
King of Europe's christian youth
Faith, honor, sacrifice
He ruled with prayer, not tyrant cries
A throne sanctified

Eastward sails crossed blood-red seas
Seventh crusade on bended knees
Egypt's sands, damietta's gate
Starvation tested holy fate

Captured but never bowed his head
Paid ransom, saved his men instead
Returned again when others fled
To tunis shores where saints still bled

Plague and heat
Consumed his breath
Still Christ his king
Until death

Stand, saint Louis
Crusader king, baptized in war
Not for conquest, but something more
Faith, honor, sacrifice
He died with psalms upon his tongue
Victory just begun

Montjoie, saint denis
Montjoie, saint denis

France marched not for empire
But for christendom

Last words spoken on foreign sand
Cross in dust, crown in hand
Jerusalem: The final cry
Eyes fixed on eternal sky

Centuries pass, banners fall
Yet his law still guards the wall
Justice courts and christian kings
Still echo what saint Louis brings

When kings forget
What crowns are for
His name remains
Forevermore

Stand, saint Louis
Sword of justice, shield of faith
Model king unto death
Faith, honor, sacrifice
France remembers, heaven sings
Long live Christ the king

Stand, saint Louis
From Paris halls to desert flame
The cross still marches in his name
Deus vult, Deus vult
Through fire and time we still proclaim
His crown was not of fame

Le roi Louis, le roi Louis
Par la croix, par la foi, victoire acquise
Le roi Louis, le roi Louis
Christus rex Vive le roi