1 O great Lord Christ, my Saviour,
Thou goest forth to war!
Against thee surge the foemen—
They muster from afar!
I hear thy clear voice ringing
Above the eager fight,
‘Come hither, son, and serve me,
And wield the arms of light.’

2 I see amid the darkness,
Where tides of battle toss,
Aloft thy broad white banner,
Marked with the blood-red cross;
And all around are marshalled
The men whose hearts are pure:
Through thine anointing Spirit
They shall, O Christ, endure.

3 But I am all unstable
As a wind-shaken reed;
Forgotten vow and failure
And sins my way impede;
Behold, they are as scarlet
Before thy holy face:
I cannot tell their number;
I can but trust thy grace.

4 Yet would I, Lord, press near thee,
And share thy toil divine—
Thy love’s long patient vigil
Ere lights of morning shine!
My Captain, O my Captain,
Stretch forth thy nail-pierced hand,
And claim me by that token
One of thy soldier band!