268 | Glory to God#269 | 270 |
Text: | Lead On, O King Eternal! |
Author: | Ernest W. Shurtleff |
Tune: | LANCASHIRE |
Composer: | Henry Thomas Smart |
Media: | Audio recording |
1 Lead on, O King eternal!
The day of march has come;
henceforth in fields of conquest
your tents shall be our home.
Through days of preparation
your grace has made us strong,
and now, O King eternal,
we lift our battle song.
2 Lead on, O King eternal,
till sin's fierce war shall cease,
and holiness shall whisper
the sweet amen of peace;
for not with swords' loud clashing,
nor roll of stirring drums;
with deeds of love and mercy
the heavenly kingdom comes.
3 Lead on, O King eternal:
we follow, not with fears,
for gladness breaks like morning
where'er your face appears;
your cross is lifted o'er us;
we journey in its light.
The crown awaits the conquest;
lead on, O God of might!
Text Information | |
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First Line: | Lead on, O King eternal! |
Title: | Lead On, O King Eternal! |
Author: | Ernest W. Shurtleff (1888, alt.) |
Meter: | 7.6.7.6.D |
Language: | English |
Publication Date: | 2013 |
Scripture: | ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; |
Topic: | Christian Life; Grâce; Guidance(3 more...) |
Tune Information | |
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Name: | LANCASHIRE |
Composer: | Henry Thomas Smart (1835 c.) |
Meter: | 7.6.7.6.D |
Key: | C Major |
Notes: | (this tune in a higher key, 233) |
Not everything that looks like a battle ends up being one. This text, written for a seminary graduation, works well with its martial tune in the first stanza; but later stanzas turn from such imagery and focus on “deeds of love and mercy” and courage for life’s journey.
Media | |
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Audio recording: | ![]() |