Forward! be our watchword

Forward! be our watchword, steps and voices joined;
seek the things before us, not a look behind;
burns the fiery pillar 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; Zion beams with light.

Forward! flock of Jesus, salt of all the earth,
till each yearning purpose spring to glorious birth:
sick, they ask for healing; blind, they grope for day;
pour upon the nations wisdom's loving ray.
Forward, out of error, leave behind the night;
forward through the darkness, forward into light!

Glories upon glories hath our God prepared,
by the souls that love him one day to be shared;
eye hath not beheld them, ear hath never heard;
nor of these hath uttered thought or speech a word;
forward, marching eastward, where the heaven is bright,
till the veil be lifted, till our faith be sight.

Far o'er yon horizon rise the city towers
where our God abideth; that fair home is ours:
flash the streets with jasper, shine the gates with gold;
flows the gladdening river shedding joys untold.
Thither, onward, thither, in Jehovah's might;
pilgrims to your country, forward into light!

To the Father's glory loudest anthems raise;
to the Son and Spirit echo songs of praise;
to the Lord Jehovah, blessed Three in One,
be by men and angels endless honor done.
Weak are earthly praises, dull the songs of night:
forward into triumph, forward into light!

Words: Henry Alford, 1871

Music: St. Alban, St. Boniface, Upwick

Meter: 65 65 Triple

Website compiled by Steve Benner, 1999-2003.