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Onward, Christian Soldiers

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"Onward, Christian Soldiers" is a 19th century English hymn. The words were written by Sabine Baring-Gould and the music by Arthur Sullivan in 1871. Sullivan named the tune "St. Gertrude," after the wife of his friend Ernest Clay Ker Seymer.

The theme is taken from references in the New Testament to the Christian being a soldier for Christ, for example II Timothy 2:3 (KJV): "Thou shalt endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."

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The Spiritualists' National Union hymnbook has a variation on the hymn, entitled "Onward, Comrades, Onward".

Background

The lyric was written as a processional hymn for children at Horbury Bridge, near Wakefield, Yorkshire. It was originally entitled, "Hymn for Procession with Cross and Banners."

Baring-Gould reportedly wrote this hymn in about 15 minutes. He later apologized, "It was written in great haste, and I am afraid that some of the lines are faulty." It was due to this fact that he allowed hymn-book compilers to alter the lyrics. The Fellowship Hymn Book, with his permission, changed the phrase ‘one in hope and doctrine’ to ‘one in hope and purpose." For the 1909 edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern, he changed the fifth line of the same verse from ‘We are not divided’ to ‘Though divisions harass." However, Baring-Gould’s original words are used in most modern hymnals.

Baring-Gould originally set these words to a tune from the slow movement of Joseph Haydn’s Symphony in D, No. 15. It was first printed the same year it was written, in an English church periodical, the Church Times, and later in several books containing new hymns. It did not receive wide acceptance, however, until Sullivan wrote a new tune for it, St. Gertrude.

The age of "Poltical Correctness" has caused controversy with this hymn. A attempt was made to strip Onward Christian Solders from the Methodist Hymnal due to perceived militarism. Outrage among church goers caused the committee to back down. However, it has since been removed from the Presbyterian Hymnal.

  • Sullivan's "Onward, Christian Soldiers" is sung during the film "M*A*S*H"
  • In an episode of The Simpsons, the song is sung by the Flanders as they salute Herb Simpson
  • In MGM's new movie "Flyboys", "Onward, Christian Soldiers" is sung by a religious pilot everytime he's in battle.
  • In one episode of Dad's Army, it is revealed that Onward, Christian Soldiers is the only piece Corporal Jones can play on the organ.
  • Also used in Jean-Claude van Itallie's America Hurrah, an anti-Vietnam War political play.
  • The song is used in the opening scene of the film Taps.

References

  • Hymns For the Living Church. Carol Stream, IL: Hope Publishing, 1974. p. 470. ISBN 0-916642-01-1
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