Scripture Verse

Sing ye to the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously. Exodus 15:21

Introduction

Words & Mu­sic: Tho­mas Craw­ford, 1883 (🔊 pdf nwc). This song won first prize for words and mu­sic in an 1883 Sun­day School Un­ion con­test.

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

Lyrics

Raise the song of tri­umph, swell the strains of joy;
Hymns in praise of Je­sus let our lips em­ploy;
As our Sav­ior greet Him, grate­ful trib­ute bring,
Praises to our cap­tain, prais­es to our king.

Refrain

Forward, for­ward! vic­to­ry be the cry;
Onward, on­ward! ban­ners wav­ing high;
Join the an­gel cho­rus in the sky,
And sing aloud to Christ our king.

Day by day we’re pass­ing through this world of care,
Year by year ap­proach­ing Heav’n so bright and fair.
Old and young to­ge­ther join the pil­grim band
Marching on to vic­to­ry and the pro­mised land.

Refrain

Tenderly the Shep­herd ev­ery lamb doth guide;
Keep us then, dear Je­sus, safe­ly by Thy side:
Faithful to Thy pro­mise, storms can ne’er dis­may;
Mighty Cap­tain, lead us still in Zi­on’s way.

Refrain