1 Flow’rs are blooming, birds are singing, in the sunny June,
Ferns and grasses springing upward, “forward” is the tune;
Leaves and blossoms ev’ry morning sweeter charms display,
Let us, too, be marching onward, on the Children’s Day.
Refrain:
Marching onward, happy beams are shining,
Marching onward, wreaths of praise entwining;
Marching onward, heav’nward steps inclining,
Marching onward, ‘tis the Children’s Day.
2 Marching onward, in the sunshine of our Father’s love,
Let our praises glad and grateful, fully raise above;
In the pathway of his kingdom, let us follow still,
To the bidding of his Spirit, yielding heart and will. [Refrain]
3 Marching onward, joyful servants of the heav’nly King,
Helping others as we journey, let our carols ring;
Lift his banner, keep it waving, singing of his grace,
Till we reach the land of beauty, where we’ll see his face. [Refrain]
Source: The Service of Praise #200
Pseudonym: Lidie H. Edmunds.
Eliza Edmunds Hewitt was born in Philadelphia 28 June 1851. She was educated in the public schools and after graduation from high school became a teacher. However, she developed a spinal malady which cut short her career and made her a shut-in for many years. During her convalescence, she studied English literature. She felt a need to be useful to her church and began writing poems for the primary department. she went on to teach Sunday school, take an active part in the Philadelphia Elementary Union and become Superintendent of the primary department of Calvin Presbyterian Church.
Dianne Shapiro, from "The Singers and Their Songs: sketches of living gospel hymn writers" by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (… Go to person page >
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