“ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS MARCHING AS TO WAR”
SABINE BARING-GOULD. British author of the lyrics of the hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers” (the music was written by Arthur Sullivan of Gilbert & Sullivan fame). Autograph Manuscript Signed, S. Baring-Gould, full page, legal folio, undated. He has penned five stanzas of eight lines each, of one of the most famous hymns “Onward Christian Soldiers”.
Onward, Christian soldiers,
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!
At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise.
Like a mighty army
Moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod.
We are not divided,
All one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.
Crowns and thrones may perish,
Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus
Constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never
‘Gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise,
And that cannot fail.
Onward then, ye people,
Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor
Unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages
Men and angels sing.
This hymn is perhaps the most famous of modern times. It has been sung on innumerable military occasions as soldiers left for war, including Christians of many countries. It was Teddy Roosevelt’s Progressive Party Presidential campaign song, and regularly sung by Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt at their World War II meetings.
Price: $3,500
