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!
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the Cross of Jesus
Going on before.
At the sign of triumph
Satan's legions 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.
Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the Saints have trod;
We are not divided,
All one body we,
One in hope and doctrine
One in charity:
Crowns and thorns 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.
Onward, then, ye people,
Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song;
Glory, laud and honour
Unto Christ the King;
This through countless ages
Men and Angels sing.
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the Cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Notes
Composition Date:
1864.Form:
abcbdefe
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, \
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Comments
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Could there ever have been a more brazen confession by any criminal? This so-called "poem" betrays the true function of religion - social control.
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I love going to church just to hear this glorious hymn being sung. It's beautifully worded and the author I feel must have been extremely gifted to write a song that is still sung today in churches all over the world. Really great poem.
Avril
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9/10
In this line: 'In the triumph song;' I would have put 'triumphant' But, that is me.
Anyways, it moves well in style and verse. The vernacular is simplistic, so as I guess for a wide-range of people to understand and read.
There wasn't exactly 'force issues' in this, and that is why I like it better than most others.
A great piece here.
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