Scripture Verse

Captain of their salvation… Hebrews 2:10

Introduction

Words & Mu­sic: Bur­ton B. Bos­worth, 1918 (🔊 pdf nwc). The phrase go­ing ov­er the top was born in the trench war­fare of World War I: At­tacks start­ing from trench­es re­quired in­fan­try to climb ov­er the top of the par­a­pet be­fore they could cross no man’s land to reach the en­e­my trench­es.

If you know where to get a bet­ter pho­to of Bos­worth (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Burton B. Bosworth
1887–1958

Lyrics

Soldiers are we in the army,
Fighting for Christ here below;
We’ll push ahead with a conquering tread,
And over the top will go.

Refrain

Over the top with Je­sus,
Over the top we’ll go;
Jesus, our mighty captain,
Leads us against the foe;
Over the top with Je­sus,
Over the top we’ll go;
Victory is sure if with Je­sus
Over the top we go.

Jesus, our mighty commander,
Leads on to vic­to­ry, I know;
Exploits we’ll do if to Je­sus we’re true,
And over the top will go.

Refrain

Where’er He leads we will follow,
Follow with hearts all aglow;
With love divine, break the enemy’s line,
As over the top we go.

Refrain

Enlist today for King Je­sus,
Courage and loyalty show;
Take up your cross, counting all else but dross,
And over the top we’ll go.

Refrain