A&M Hymn #391: Onward, Christian soldiers
Complete lyrics, stanzas, and pipe organ accompaniment • Hymns Ancient & Modern
Marching as to war,
With the Cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Leads against the foe ;
Forward into battle,
See, His banners go !
Marching as to war,
With the Cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Satan's host doth flee ;
On then. Christian soldiers,
On to victory.
At the shout of praise ;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise.
Like a mightv armv
Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
We are not divided,
All one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
'ff Onward, &c.
Crowns and thrones may perish,
Kingdoms rise and wane,
Constant will remain ;
Gates of hell can never
'Gainst that Church prevail ;
And that cannot fail.
Onward, &c.
Onward, then, ye people,
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song ;
Glory, laud, and honour
This through countless ages
Men and Angels sing.
Onward, &c. Amen
392 they go forward."
Forward ! be our watchword,
Steps and voices ioin'd ;
Not a look behind ;
Burns the fiery pillar
At our army's head :
By our Captain led ?
PROCESSIONAL.
Forward through the desert.
Jordan flows before us,
Sion beams with light.
Forward, when in childhood
All through youth and manhood,
Speed tbrougn realms of nature,
Climb the steps of grace ;
Gleams our Father's Face.
Forward, ail the life-time,
Climb from height to height ;
Till the eve be light.
Forward, flock of Jesvs,
Salt of all the earth,
Spring to glorious birth ;
Si^k, they asSc for healing,
Blind, they grope for day ;
Wisdom's loving ray.
ForwarJ, out of error,
Leave behind the night ;
t or ward into light.
Glories upon glories
Hath our God prepared,
One day to be shared ;
Ear hath never heard :
Nor of these hath utter'd
Forward, marching eastward.
Where the Heav'n is bright,
Till the veil be lifted.
Far o'er yon horizon
Rise the city towers,
Where our God abideth ;
Flash the streets with jasper,
Shine the sates with gold ;
Flows th? _"iaJdrnins river
Thither, onward thither.
In the Spirit's might ;
Pilgrims to your country,
Into God's high temple
Onward as we press,
Beauty spreads around us,
Arch, and vault, and carving.
Lights of varied tone,
Soften'd words and holv,
Every thought upraising
To our city bright,
Where The tribes assemble
Nought that city needeth
Of these aisles of stone ;
Where the Godhead dwelletb,
All the Saints, that ever
In these courts have stood,
Are but babes, and feeding
On through sign and token,
Stars amidst the night,
Forward through tha darkness.
To the Eternal Father
Loudest anthems raise ;
To the Sox and Spirit
To the Lord of clorv.
Blessed Three in Okk,
Be by men and Angels
Weak are eartldy praises :
Dull the songs ot night ;
Forward into triumph,
Forward into light 1
Background, Themes & Devotional Notes for "Onward, Christian soldiers"
📜 Historical Background & Origin
This hymn is designated as Hymn #391 in the venerable Hymns Ancient & Modern (1889 Standard Edition). Originally compiled under the guidance of the Rev. Sir Henry Williams Baker and a committee of dedicated church musicians, this hymnal harmonized historic Latin, Greek, and German hymnody with classical English psalmody.
It has served as a primary liturgical hymnal for the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican and Episcopal communion for generations, renowned for its doctrinal clarity and reverent choral tradition.
🕊️ Devotional Themes & Reflection
Composed of 37 stanzas, the text centers on foundational biblical themes: adoration and praise to God, humble reliance upon divine grace, steadfast faith amid trials, and the everlasting hope of salvation in Jesus Christ.
Whether sung during Sunday corporate worship or read during family devotions and personal prayer, these stanzas guide the believer to reflect on God's unending mercies and steadfast faithfulness across every season of life.
🎼 Musical Structure & Liturgy
- Poetic Meter: 6 5656565656 5
- Stanza Structure: 37 Verses with cathedral pipe organ accompaniment
- Liturgical Placement: Suitable as an Opening Hymn of Praise, Call to Worship, Offertory, or Closing Doxology
- Pipe Organ Audio: Multi-verse accompaniment synthesized to support organists, choir rehearsals, and home worship
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