Hymn
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.
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 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 faithful,
Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices,
In the triumph song;
Glory, laud, and honor,
Unto Christ the King;
This, thro' countless ages,
Men and angels sing.
Amen.
Onward, Christian Soldiers — Text from American Lutheran Hymnal, 1930. Public domain. https://yeshuanow.com/hymns/onward-christian-soldiers
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Questions about this hymn
Who wrote Onward, Christian Soldiers?
The words of Onward, Christian Soldiers were written by S. Baring-Gould; the version here was published in 1930. The library also holds Through the Night of Doubt and Sorrow, another hymn by S. Baring-Gould.
Is Onward, Christian Soldiers public domain?
Yes. The words here are taken from American Lutheran Hymnal, published in 1930. Works published before 1931 are out of copyright in the United States, so you can print, project, perform and record this hymn freely. How we source and check every hymn.
What is the metre of Onward, Christian Soldiers?
Onward, Christian Soldiers is in 6.5.6.5 D with refrain. Hymns in the same metre can usually be sung to the same tunes — for example, Yield Not to Temptation, Brightly Gleams Our Banner and Like a River Glorious.