Onward, Christian Soldiers
A processional hymn of the Church marching as one army under Christ.
Download PDFA processional hymn of the Church marching as one army under Christ. Written by Sabine Baring-Gould (1865), set to the tune "St. Gertrude" by Arthur Sullivan.
Suggested pairing scripture
Matthew 16:18
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Read Matthew 16:18 (KJV) aloud as a call to worship before the congregation sings "Onward, Christian Soldiers." It anchors the hymn in the Word from which it flows.
Read in contextWhen to sing this
Sing at the close of a service as a hymn of response, during altar calls, baptisms, and seasons of personal rededication.
Lyrics
Stanza 1
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.
Stanza 2
At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee; On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise; Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
Stanza 3
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.
Stanza 4
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.
Stanza 5
Onward, then, ye people, join our happy throng, Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song; Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King; This through countless ages men and angels sing.
History & Background
Sabine Baring-Gould wrote the verses in fifteen minutes one evening in 1865 for children in Horbury Bridge, Yorkshire to sing while marching to a neighboring village for a Whit Monday festival. Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert and Sullivan) composed the tune 'St. Gertrude' in 1871, naming it for the wife of his friend Ernest Clay-Ker-Seymer.
Scripture Behind the Hymn
Matthew 16:18
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."Read in context
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Baring-Gould write Onward, Christian Soldiers?
He needed a marching song in 1865 for the children of his Yorkshire parish to sing on a Whit Monday procession to a neighboring village. He wrote it in about fifteen minutes the night before.
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Where to go next
Enjoyed "Onward, Christian Soldiers"? These pages pair well with it for worship planning.
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