![]() First published in 1871 by Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900), known for his collaboration with W.S. GERTRUDE, which likely contributed to the hymn’s controversy. It is, however, the success of the second tune, ST. It, like the text, lends itself well to usage by children, and it was to this tune that “Onward” was published in the 1868 edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern. The tune is simply constructed, with an exact repetition of the first eight measures for the refrain. ALBAN, an adaptation of the third movement of Haydn’s Symphony No.15 in D Major. In Baring-Gould’s procession, it was sung to ST. Throughout its history, “Onward, Christian Soldiers” has been associated with two tunes. Instances of personification (“hell’s foundations” quiver in stanza two) and exaggeration (“This through countless ages” in stanza five) are strengthened by subtler devices, such as the intensification of elements in stanza four (from “crowns and thrones” to “kingdoms” to the “church of Jesus”), which create a remarkably engaging text. In the first stanza, the poet sets the scene for the spiritual conflict between Jesus and the devil. The language is child-friendly, relying on a single metaphorical image – the marchers as soldiers, related to 2 Timothy 2:3, “Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (NRSV). The meter is straightforward - an accented syllable followed by an unaccented one - such that one can easily imagine children marching to this text. Written in 1864, “Onward, Christian Soldiers” appears to be simply constructed: each stanza is composed of two four-verse groups (quatrains), in which the second and fourth lines rhyme with each other. Baring-Gould was a prolific writer, publishing hymns and hymn translations, poetry, sermons, short stories, a novel, and the massive work, The Lives of the Saints (1872–1877). He served first at Horbury Bridge (Yorkshire), where “Onward, Christian Soldiers” was written, later taking over as squire at Lew Trenchard in the early 1880s. His family traveled through Europe extensively throughout his childhood and despite an irregular education, he became a schoolmaster, a deacon, and finally a priest in 1865. The author, Sabine Baring-Gould (1834–1924), was born in Exeter (Devon) on January 28, the son of a country squire. Perhaps one of the most controversial hymns ever written, “Onward, Christian Soldiers” began its life as no more than a simple processional song, something for children to sing as they crossed the village of Horbury Bridge to the parish church. Onward Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before. CHRIST the royal Master Leads against the foe, Forward into battle, See, his banners go. ![]() ![]() Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before. By Sabine Baring-Gould The United Methodist Hymnal, No. ![]()
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