A&M Hymn #392: Forward! be our watchword
Complete lyrics, stanzas, and pipe organ accompaniment • Hymns Ancient & Modern
See, His banners go !
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
Going on before.
At the sign of triumph
Satan's host doth flee ;
On to victory.
Hell's foundations quiver
At the shout of praise ;
Loud your anthems raise.
Onward, &c.
Like a mightv armv
Brothers, we are treading
Wheie the Saints have trod ;
We are not divided,
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.
'ff Onward, &c.
Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus
Constant will remain ;
'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
Glory, laud, and honour
Unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages
Onward, &c. Amen
"Speak unto the children of Israel that
392 they go forward."
Steps and voices ioin'd ;
Seek the things before us,
Not a look behind ;
At our army's head :
Who shall dream of shrinking,
By our Captain led ?
Forward through the desert.
Through the toil and fight ;
Jordan flows before us,
Forward, when in childhood
Buds the infant mind;
All through youth and manhood,
Climb the steps of grace ;
Faint not. till in glory
Gleams our Father's Face.
Climb from height to height ;
Till the hea i be hoary,
Till the eve be light.
Salt of all the earth,
Till each yearning purpose
Spring to glorious birth ;
Blind, they grope for day ;
Pour upon the nations
Wisdom's loving ray.
Leave behind the night ;
Forward through the darkness,
t or ward into light.
Hath our God prepared,
Bv the souls that love Hun
One day to be shared ;
Nor of these hath utter'd
Thought or speech a word;
Forward, marching eastward.
Till the veil be lifted.
Till our faith be sight.
Far o'er yon horizon
Where our God abideth ;
That fair home is ours :
Flash the streets with jasper,
Flows th? _"iaJdrnins river
Shedding joys untold.
Thither, onward thither.
Pilgrims to your country,
Forward into light.
Into God's high temple
Beauty spreads around us,
Porn of holiness ;
Arch, and vault, and carving.
Soften'd words and holv,
Prayer aad praise alone :
Every thought upraising
Where The tribes assemble
Round the Throne of light
Nought that city needeth
Where the Godhead dwelletb,
Temple there is none ;
All the Saints, that ever
Are but babes, and feeding
On the children's food.
On through sign and token,
Forward through tha darkness.
Forward into light,
To the Eternal Father
To the Sox and Spirit
Echo songs of praise ;
To the Lord of clorv.
Be by men and Angels
Endless honours clone :
Weak are eartldy praises :
Forward into triumph,
Forward into light 1
Background, Themes & Devotional Notes for "Forward! be our watchword"
📜 Historical Background & Origin
This hymn is designated as Hymn #392 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 36 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 565656565G5
- Stanza Structure: 36 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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