~Onward Christian Soldiers

       This hymn was written by a pastor. At that time, the custom in town, during celebrations, was for the children to march from one town to another with banners. The pastor wanted the children to sing a hymn as they went. Since nothing was suitable, he wrote one himself—late the night before the march!

       He wrote more than 60 books in the British Museum, but was most remembered as the author of “Onward Christian Soldiers.”

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Onward, Christian Soldiers [1]

1           Onward, Christian soldiers,

Marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus

Going on before;

Christ, the royal Master,

Leads against the foe;

Forward into battle,

See His banners go!

2           At the sign of triumph,

Satan’s host doth flee;

On, then, Christian soldiers,

On to victory;

Hell’s foundations quiver

At the shout of praise:

Brothers, lift your voices,

Loud your anthems raise!

3           Crowns and thrones may perish,

Kingdoms rise and wane,

But the church of Jesus

Constant will remain;

Gates of hell can never

’Gainst that church prevail;

We have Christ’s own promise,

and that cannot fail.

4           Onward, then, ye people,

Join our happy throng;

Blend with ours your voices

In the triumph-song;

Glory, laud and honor

Unto Christ the King,

This through countless ages

Men and angels sing.

Chorus  Onward, Christian soldiers!

Marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus

Going on before.