Onward, Christian Soldiers
Onward, Christian Soldiers
Original Text
The English Hymnal with Tunes (London: Humphrey Milford, Oxford University Press; and A. R. Mowbray [1906]), no. 643, pp. 832-33. M 2136 .E554 1906 Trinity College Library.
2 Marching as to war,
3With the Cross of Jesus
4 Going on before.
5Christ the royal Master
6 Leads against the foe;
7Forward into battle,
8 See, his banners go!
9 Onward, Christian soldiers,
10 Marching as to war,
11 With the Cross of Jesus
12 Going on before.
13At the sign of triumph
14 Satan's legions flee;
15On then, Christian soldiers,
16 On to victory.
17Hell's foundations quiver
18 At the shout of praise;
19Brothers, lift your voices,
20 Loud your anthems raise.
21Like a mighty army
22 Moves the Church of God;
23Brothers, we are treading
24 Where the Saints have trod;
25We are not divided,
26 All one body we,
27One in hope and doctrine
28 One in charity:
29Crowns and thrones may perish,
30 Kingdoms rise and wane,
31But the Church of Jesus
32 Constant will remain;
33Gates of hell can never
34 'Gainst that Church prevail;
35We have Christ's own promise,
36 And that cannot fail.
37Onward, then, ye people,
38 Join our happy throng,
39Blend with ours your voices
40 In the triumph song;
41Glory, laud and honour
42 Unto Christ the King;
43This through countless ages
44 Men and Angels sing.
45 Onward, Christian soldiers,
46 Marching as to war,
47 With the Cross of Jesus
48 Going on before.
Notes
1] Composed as a processional hymn for children at Horbury Bridge, near Wakefield, Yorkshire, published in The Church Times in 1864, and set to its now-traditional tune, "St. Gertrude," by Sir Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900) in 1871 (Handbook to the Church Hymnary, 3rd edn., ed. John M. Barkley [London: Oxford University Press, 1979], no. 480, p. 174). Baring-Gould originally entitled the song "Hymn for Procession with Cross and Banners," and it is still listed among processional pieces in hymnals. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1864
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RPO 1998.
Rhyme