Author: Henry Alford, 1810 - 71 Hymnal: Service Book and Hymnal of the Lutheran Church in America #565 (1958) Topics: The Church The People of God; The Church Worship - The Close of Service; The Church The House of God; Travellers; The Life In Christ Pilgrimage; The Life In Christ Conflict and Victory Lyrics: 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 our Captain led?
Forward through the desert,
Through the toil and fight;
Jordan flows before us,
Sion 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 eastward
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 Spirit'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 almighty,
Blessèd Three in One,
Be by men and angels
Endless honor done.
Weak are earthly praises,
Dull the songs of night;
Forward into triumph
Forward into light!
Languages: English Tune Title: FORWARD (SMART)
Forward! be our watch-word