Voices of Praise ‎#326

326. Forward! be our watchword

1 Forward! be our watchword,
Step 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?
Forward thro' the desert,
Thro' the toil and fight,
Jordan flows before us,
Sion beams with light.

2 Forward when in childhood
Buds the infant mind;
All through youth and manhood,
Not a thought behind:
Speed through realms of nature,
Climb the steps of grace;
Faint not, till in glory
Gleams our Father's face.
Forward, all the life-time
Climb from height to height:
Till the head be hoary,
Till the eve be light!

3 Forward, flock of Jesus,
Salt of all the earth,
Till each yearning purpose
Spring to glorious birth;
Sick, they ask for healing,
Blind, they grope for day;
Pour upon the nations
Wisdom's loving ray.
Forward, out of error,
Leave behind the night;
Forward through the darkness,
Forward into light.

4 Glories upon glories,
Hath our God prepared,
By the souls that love Him
One day to be shared;
Eye hath not beheld them,
Ear hath never heard;
Nor of these hath uttered
Thought or speech or word.
Forward, marching eastward
Where the heaven is bright,
Till the veil be lifted,
Till our faith be sight!

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Forward! be our watchword
• Meter: 6s. 5s. Twelve lines
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1883
• Topic: Festivals

Tune Information

• Name: S. BOTOLPH
• Meter: 6s. 5s. Twelve lines
• Key: G Major