The Praise Book ‎#153

153. Forward! be Our Watchword

1 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?

Refrain:
Forward! in the conflict,
Thro’ the toil and fight
Foes must fall before us,
God will speed the right.

2 Forward out of error,
Leave behind the night;
Forward thro’ the darkness,
Forward into light!
Glories upon glories
Hath our God prepared,
By the souls that love Him,
One day to be shared. [Refrain]

3 Far o’er yon horizon
Rise the city towers,
Where our God abideth;
That fair home is ours!
Thither, onward thither,
In the Spirit’s might,
Lovers of your country,
Forward into light! [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: Forward! be our watchword
• Title: Forward! be Our Watchword
• Author: Henry Alford (1865)
• Refrain First Line: Forward, in the conflict
• Publication Date: 1906
• Topic: Processional; Service

Tune Information

• Name: [Forward! be our watchword]
• Composer: Franz J. Haydn (1797)
• Meter: 6s. 5s.