Verse 1

FORWARD! be our watchword, Steps 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 through the desert, Through the toil and fight; Jordan flows before us, Zion beams with light.

Verse 2

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 a word. Forward, ever forward, Clad in armour bright, Till the veil be lifted, Till our faith be sight.

Verse 3

Far o’er yon horizon Rise the city towers, Where our God abideth; That fair home is ours: Flash the gates with jasper, Shine the gates with gold, Flows the gladdening river, Shedding joys untold. Thither, onward, thither, In the Spirit’s might; Pilgrims to your country, Forward into light.

Background: Forward Be Our Watchword Steps And Voices