![]() Postscript: some might argue that we need to preserve this as part of our history – which says to me there’s a new book to be written, one that collects our musical history so we don’t lose them but don’t use them, because they no longer are in line with our theology and principles. There are many other great hymns to talk about commitment and action and rallying us for the resistance ahead. And I can’t imagine it would go over well with congregants who fought (or fought against) the 20th century wars, especially Vietnam. But this feels very … just wrong in its manner of fighting. Yes, fight – of course, always fight for what is just and right and inclusive and expansive. It honestly scares me a little to think modern Unitarian Universalists would take up a fight in this manner. In each loss or triumph lose or triumph all.īound by God’s far purpose in one living whole, Poets sung its glory, heroes for it died. ![]() Prophets have proclaimed it, martyrs testified, Wider grows the vision, realm of love and light įor it we must labor, till our faith is sight. Move the faithful spirits at the call divine. ![]() (Chorus) Forward through the ages, in unbroken line, Manifold the service, one the sure reward. Gifts in differing measure, hearts of one accord, Move the faithful spirits at the call divine: Blech.įorward through the ages, in unbroken line, “Forward…in unbroken line”… “heroes for it died” … “not alone we conquer” … “loss or triumph” …. The lyrics we use emerge from the late 19th century as well, from Unitarian minister and hymn writer Frederick Hosmer, and heaven help us, carry that same militarism that is found in the original lyrics. And they all feature major generals and admirals and all manner of military positivity. While their light operettas rank high for me for their cleverness and singability, they are all – from The Mikado to Iolanthe to HMS Pinafore – are all about duty. And learning that WIlliam Sullivan (of Gilbert & Sullivan) wrote the tune doesn’t help. It starts with a tune that is indelibly imprinted with the lyrics “Onward, Christian Soldiers / Marching as to war / with the cross of Jesus / going on before.” I love repurposing hymn tunes, but it’s hard to separate the tune from those militant lyrics. I honestly don’t know when I’ve ever had such a reaction to a song as I have sung I’ve had lots of “um…what” and “dang, I cannot get this” moments, particularly the first time singing through a complex score. Here’s the hymn with the new lyrics.Seriously – it was like I had bit into a sour lemon or sipped some turned milk when I sang this. Thus, my rewrite owes quite a bit to 1 Corinthians, where Paul’s theology of the cross receives its best articulation. Chorus Onward, Christian soldiers Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before. I decided that the hymn gets its theology of the cross all wrong, choosing the cross of Constantine and the Crusaders over Paul’s “scandalous” one. Slowly, and with his able editorial assistance, I’ve done so. Then, earlier this year, D Fletcher suggested that I rewrite it. I decided a few years ago that I could no longer sing this hymn in good conscience, even though I always liked the music. In addition to McLaren’s rewrite, new pacifist lyrics have been created on the Mormon blog, By Common Consent by Jason K. As time went on, the hymn sounded more and more militaristic to me. Their background of forced conversion during the Crusades and at other times in history was still an unhealed wound. Having attended church for eight years in the Holy Land, I knew our congregations were very sensitive to the feelings of the Muslims and Jews around us. McLaren is troubled that the hymn “speaks ambiguously of ‘the foe’ - which could (in the minds of some) refer to our neighbors outside the church,” instead of more acceptably targeting “corporate greed, racism, domestic violence, apathy or pride.” His new alternative lyrics highlight Christian “peacemaking.” McLaren admits his own church sings “songs that consciously or subconsciously play into hostility and fear and imperial or warlike sentiments - I feel that we are flirting with dark and dangerous currents that are very unsacred.” Christ, the royal master, leads his armies on: forward into battle till the fight is won Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. The article explaining the idea is called “ Disarming Onward Christian Soldiers.” It says, 1 Onward, Christian soldiers marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. In April 2016 The Stream, a Christian-oriented website, published new words to the hymn by Brian McLaren. It was never intended as a crusader’s hymn, but in its lines, Christians have felt the militancy of the Crusades. The hymn “ Onward Christian Soldiers” is a 19th century British hymn, written for a processional of children from Horbury Bridge to Horbury St Peter’s Church near Wakefield, Yorkshire, England.
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