A Great Marching Song

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!

At the sign of triumph

Satan’s armies 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.

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.

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.

Sabine Baring-Gould, 1865.