Forward! be our watchword (Henry Thomas Smart)
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- Editor: James Gibb (submitted 2010-10-08). Score information: A4, 1 page, 22 kB Copyright: CPDL
- Edition notes: From the Church Hymnary, 1929 where the tune is called Smart. MusicXML source file(s) in compressed .mxl format.
General Information
Title: Forward! be our watchword
Composer: Henry Thomas Smart
Tune: Forward
Lyricist: Henry Alford
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Hymn Meter: 11 11. 11 11. 11 11
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella or keyboard
First published:
Description:
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
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 Jehovah led?
Forward through the desert, through the toil and fight;
Jordan flows before us; Zion beams with light.
2. 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 a word;
Forward, marching forward, where the heaven is bright,
Till the veil be lifted, till our faith be sight.
3. Far o’er yon horizon rise the city towers
Where our God abideth; that fair home is ours:
Flash the streets with jasper, shine the gates with gold;
Flows the gladdening river shedding joys untold.
Thither, onward, thither, in the Jehovah’s might;
Pilgrims to your country, forward into light!
4. To the Father's glory loudest anthems raise;
To the Son and Spirit echo songs of praise;
To the Lord Jehovah, blessed Three in One,
Be by men and angels endless honour done.
Weak are earthly praises, dull the songs of night:
Forward into triumph, forward into light!