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 thro' the desert,

Thro' the toil and fight!

Jordan flows before us;

Sion beams with 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 the Spirit's might!

Pilgrims to your country,

Forward into light!

To the eternal Father

Loudest anthems raise:

To the Son and Spirit

Echo songs of praise:

To the Lord of glory,

Blessed Three in One,

Be by men and angels

Endless honour done.

Weak are earthly praises,

Dull the songs of night:

Forward into triumph!

Forward into light!