Appears in 342 hymnals Lyrics: 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. Topics: Festivals Used With Tune: S. BOTOLPH
Forward! be our watchword