Onward, Christian Soldiers Sabine Baring-Gould, 1864
3 verses and a refrain, public domain, free to print and project.
The words
Verse 1. 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.
Refrain Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus,
Going on before.
Verse 2. 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.
Verse 3. 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 thro’ countless ages,
Men and angels sing.
Sing the refrain after every verse.
Words copied from New Baptist Hymnal (1926). They were published in 1864, so they are in the public domain in the United States, and your church may print them, show them and sing them without a license.
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The story behind Onward, Christian Soldiers
Sabine Baring-Gould wrote Onward, Christian Soldiers in 1864 as a curate at the mission church in Horbury Bridge, Yorkshire. His school was to join a neighboring village's school for a Pentecost procession, and he wrote the hymn for the children to sing as they walked. The Church Times printed it on October 15, 1864, as Hymn for Procession with Cross and Banners, in six stanzas and a refrain. The Psalter Hymnal prints stanzas 1, 3, 5 and 6 with small changes. Hymnary's author line also gives 1865 for the altered text.
Arthur Sullivan wrote the tune ST. GERTRUDE in 1871 for these words. He composed it at the home of Gertrude Clay-Ker-Seymer in Hanford, Dorsetshire, and named it for her. It first appeared in a December 1871 Musical Times advertisement for Joseph Barnby's forthcoming Hymnary. The Hymnary printed the words and tune together in 1872. The Psalter Hymnal Handbook suggests singing it in unison, lightly, in the manner of children's voices.
Hymnary lists E flat major as the key in Baptist Hymnal 1991 and 2008 and most other books. Some hymnals print it in D major. The martial imagery draws on Ephesians 6:10 to 18, and Hymnary also lists Deuteronomy 31:6, 1 Timothy 6:12 and Matthew 16:18.
Sabine Baring-Gould
1834 to 1924
Sabine Baring-Gould was born in Exeter, England, in 1834 and died at Lew Trenchard in 1924. He served as a curate at a mission church in Horbury Bridge, Yorkshire. In 1864 he wrote Onward, Christian Soldiers for a children's Pentecost procession, when his school joined a neighboring village's school. The Church Times printed it on October 15, 1864, as Hymn for Procession with Cross and Banners. Arthur Sullivan's tune ST. GERTRUDE joined it in the Hymnary of 1872.
Arthur S. Sullivan
1842 to 1900
Arthur Seymour Sullivan (1842 to 1900) was born in Lambeth, London, and died in Westminster. He wrote the tune ST. GERTRUDE in 1871 for Sabine Baring-Gould's Onward, Christian Soldiers, composing it at the home of Gertrude Clay-Ker-Seymer in Hanford, Dorsetshire, and naming it for her. It first appeared in a December 1871 Musical Times advertisement for Joseph Barnby's forthcoming Hymnary, which printed the words and tune together in 1872. Hymnary lists the tune in 1,377 hymnals. The Psalter Hymnal Handbook suggests singing it in unison, lightly, in the manner of children's voices.
- Hymnary.org: Onward, Christian Soldiers (Psalter Hymnal 522 notes) , read 2026-10-16
- Hymnary.org: ST. GERTRUDE (Sullivan) , read 2026-10-16
Scripture in Onward, Christian Soldiers
The Bible passages behind the words.
- Ephesians 6:10-18
- 1 Timothy 6:12
- Matthew 16:18
- Deuteronomy 31:6
Onward, Christian Soldiers videos
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Onward, Christian Soldiers • Congregational Daniel Baptist, Congregation
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"Onward Christian Soldiers" by 250 voice Mass Choir for Classic Hymns English Album at Hyderabad Classic Hymns, Choir
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Onward, Christian Soldiers The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, Choir
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Onward Christian Soldiers - piano instrumental hymn with lyrics Kaleb Brasee, Piano
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Cedarmont Kids - Onward Christian Soldiers Cedarmont Kids, Children
Videos play from YouTube, and nothing loads from YouTube until you press play. A video may sing different verses from the ones printed on this page.
Print and project
Chords and keys
Hymnals print it in E♭ or D.
Questions people ask
Who wrote Onward, Christian Soldiers?
Sabine Baring-Gould wrote it in 1864 for a children's Pentecost procession. The Church Times printed it on October 15, 1864.
What is the story behind Onward, Christian Soldiers?
Baring-Gould was a curate at Horbury Bridge, Yorkshire, and his school marched to a neighboring village at Pentecost. He wrote the hymn for the children to sing on the march.
Who wrote the tune for Onward, Christian Soldiers?
Arthur Sullivan wrote ST. GERTRUDE in 1871. The tune and words were printed together in Barnby's Hymnary in 1872.
Is Onward, Christian Soldiers in the public domain?
Yes. The words are public domain in the United States, first published in 1864. Sullivan's tune dates to 1871 and is public domain as well.
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