ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS - Sabine Baring-Gould Poems

 
 

Poems » sabine baring gould » onward christian soldiers

ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS

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.