We are soldiers of Christ

We are soldiers of Christ, who is mighty to save,
and his banner the cross is unfurl'd;
we are pledged to be faithful and steadfast and brave
against Satan, the flesh, and the world.

We are brothers and comrades, we stand side by side,
and our faith and our hope are the same;
and we think of the cross on which Jesus has died,
when we bear the reproach of His name.

At the font we were mark'd with the cross on our brow,
of our grace and our calling the sign:
and the weakest is strong to be true to his vow,
for the armor we wear is divine.

We will watch ready arm'd if the tempter draw near,
if he come with a frown or a smile:
we will heed not his threats, nor his flatteries hear,
nor be taken by storm or by wile.

We will master the flesh, and its longings restrain,
we will not be the bond-slaves of sin,
the pure Spirit of God in our nature shall reign,
and our spirits their freedom shall win.

For the world's love we live not, its hate we defy,
and we will not be led by the throng;
we'll be true to ourselves, to our Father on high,
and the bright world to which we belong.

Now let each cheer his comrade, let hearts beat as one,
while we follow where Christ leads the way;
'twere dishonour to yield, or the battle to shun,
we will fight, and will watch, and will pray.

Though the warfare be weary, the trial be sore,
in the might of our God we will stand;
oh! what joy to be crown'd and be pure evermore,
in the peace of our own fatherland.

Words: Thomas B Pollock (1836-1896), 1889

Music: Milites (William Henry Monk, 1823-1889)

Meter: 12 9 12 9

Hymnal, Year Number Tunes Other comments
Hymns Ancient & Modern, 1861-1874      
The Anglican Hymn Book, 1868       
The Sarum Hymnal, 1869      
The Church Hymnal, 1871 (Hall & Whiteley)      
The Church Hymnal, 1874 (Goodrich & Gilbert)      
The Church Hymnal, 1874 (Tucker & Rousseau)      
The Church Hymnal, 1874 (Hutchins)      
Church Hymns with Tunes, 1874      
Church Hymnal (Church of Ireland), 1874      
Hymns Ancient & Modern, Standard, 1875-1924 541 Milites  
A Church of England Hymn Book, 1879      
The Universal Hymn Book, 1885      
The Hymnal Companion, 1890 376 Birmingham  
The Church Hymnal, Revised and Enlarged, 1892 (Darlington)      
The Church Hymnal, Revised and Enlarged, 1892 (Parker)      
The Church Hymnal, Revised and Enlarged, 1892 (Hutchins)      
The Church Hymnal, Revised and Enlarged, 1892 (Tucker & Rousseau)      
The Church Hymnal, Revised and Enlarged, 1892 (Helfenstein)      
The Church Hymnal, Revised and Enlarged, 1892 (Messiter)      
The Yattendon Hymnal, 1900
      
Church Hymns, New Edition, 1903      
Hymns Ancient & Modern, New Edition, 1904 618 Milites  
The English Hymnal, 1906      
The Book of Common Praise, 1908 658 Birmingham  
The Hymnal 1916      
Church Hymnal for the Christian Year, 1917 Children's 72 Milites  
Church Hymnal (Church of Ireland), 1919 719 Remember the poor  
Church Hymnal Revised, 1920
(Hutchins)		 639 Milites  
The Oxford Hymn Book, 1925      
Songs of Praise, 1925      
Songs of Praise, Enlarged Edition, 1931      
The Book of Common Praise, 1938      
The Hymnal 1940      
Hymns Ancient & Modern, Revised, 1950      
The Mirfield Mission Hymn Book, 1955      
Church Hymnal (Church of Ireland), 1960      
Anglican Hymn Book, 1965      
The Hymn Book 1971      
The Australian Hymn Book / With One Voice, 1977      
The Hymnal 1982      
Hymns Ancient & Modern, New Standard, 1983      
The New English Hymnal, 1985      
Hymns for Today's Church, second edition, 1988      
Church Family Worship, 1988      
Hymns Old & New, New Anglican Edition, 1996      
Common Praise (The Anglican Church of Canada), 1998      
Together in Song: The Australian Hymn Book II, 1999      
Sing Glory, 1999      
Complete Mission Praise, 2000      
Common Praise: Hymns Ancient & Modern, 2000      
Hymns Old & New, Complete Anglican Edition, 2000      
Church Hymnal (Church of Ireland), 2000      

Website compiled by Steve Benner, 1999-2006.