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; Sion beams with light. | 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; 491 Nor of these hath uttered Thought or speech a word; Forward! marching eastward, Where the heaven is bright, Till the veil be lifted, Till our faith be sight. | Far o'er yon horizon Rise the city towers, Where our God abideth; That fair home is ours: Flash the streets 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! | To the eternal Father Loudest anthems raise; To the Son and Spirit Echo songs of praise; To the Lord of glory, Blessèd Three in One, Be by men and angels Endless honour done. Weak are earthly praises, Dull the songs of night: Forward into triumph! Forward into light! | |