This tribute was paid by Van Braght to the martyr, Gerardus, who for the testimony of Jesus Christ went singing before his companions, five other men, two women, and a girl, on the way to burning at the stake in Cologne, Germany, A. D. 1163.
This hymn by van Braght was arranged to commemorate the 450th Anniversary of the founding of the Anabaptist-Mennonite Church (1525-1975).