Virtual accompanist

Play “Onward, Christian! though the region”

Free same-meter accompaniment for Onward, Christian! though the region (Samuel Johnson): organ, piano or guitar playing the tune BATTY (Basel, 1745 from Johann Thommen's Musicalischer Christenschatz) in four-part harmony, 6 verses, with the words on screen. Choose the key and speed, add an introduction, project the words on a TV, or practice your own choir part. Made for churches and home groups without a musician.

Sung here to BATTY (Basel, 1745 from Johann Thommen's Musicalischer Christenschatz), a 8.7.8.7 tune — not necessarily the tune usually paired with this text. Any tune in the same meter fits the words.

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  1. 1Onward, Christian! though the region
  2. Where thou art be drear and lone;
  3. God has set a guardian legion
  4. Very near thee; press thou on!
  5. 2Listen, Christian! their hosanna
  6. Rolleth o'er thee: "God is love;"
  7. Write upon thy red-cross banner,
  8. "Upward ever; heaven's above."
  9. 3By the thorn-road, and none other,
  10. Is the mount of vision won;
  11. Tread it without shrinking, brother!
  12. Jesus trod it; press thou on!
  13. 4Be this world the wiser, stronger,
  14. For thy life of pain and peace,
  15. While it needs thee; oh, no longer
  16. Pray thou for thy quick release!
  17. 5Pray thou, Christian, daily rather,
  18. That thou be a faithful son;
  19. By the prayer of Jesus, "Father,
  20. Not my will, but Thine, be done."
  21. 6Amen.

About this music

BATTY — Basel, 1745 from Johann Thommen's Musicalischer Christenschatz. Setting: "Kern des Deutschen Kirchengesangs Zum Gebrauch" Fridrich Layriz, 1854.. The score is from the Open Hymnal Project, copied from "Kern des Deutschen Kirchengesangs Zum Gebrauch" Fridrich Layriz, 1854 Hymn 108. Text as found in 1871 Episcopal Hymnal; music and setting are in the public domain. The words above are from the hymnal cited on the Onward, Christian! though the region page.

Played in your browser with instrument sounds from the FluidR3 soundfont by Frank Wen (MIT license). No recordings are used.

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