Forward, Children, Forward

Top Media Text Author Text Info Tune Timeline Page Scans Instances

Forward, children, forward

Author: Ambrose N. Blatchford
Published in 5 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Forward, children, forward,
Life is dawning bright;
Leave the night behind you
Onward into light!
Heav'nly voices call you
Hearken and obey,
God himself shall lead you
Surely day by day.

Chorus:
Forward, children,
Life is dawning bright,
Onward, children,
Onward into light;
Heav'nly voices call you,
Hearken and obey,
God himself shall lead you
Surely day by day.

2 Breezy spring may languish,
Fade the summer sun,
Autumn rich, and winter,
Round and round may run:
Still thro' falling seasons
Love shall safe abide,
Lasting as the mountain,
Steadfast as the tide. [Chorus]

3 Childhood's golden morning
Breaks in manhood's day:
Life's high noon is fleeting
Age knows no delay:
Waken, children, waken!
Gather wisdom's word;
Follow Christ, your Leader:
Learn to know the Lord. [Chorus]

4 Days of toil are coming,
Hours, perchance, of pain;
Conflicts where the mighty
Sink upon the plain.
Learn to bear you bravely;
Learn on God alway;
There we'll bless his mercy
Children, watch and pray. [Chorus]

5 Soon we'll stand triumphant,
Sin and danger o'er,
Nevermore to sever
On a brighter shore.
There we'll serve our Father,
Saintly souls among,
There we'll bless his mercy
In a nobler song. [Chorus]

Source: The Voice of Praise: a compilation of the very best sacred songs for use in Sunday Schools and praise services #124

All representative texts • Compare texts ^ top

Author: Ambrose N. Blatchford

Blatchford, Ambrose Nichols, B.A., born at Plymouth, 1842, and educated for the Unitarian Ministry at Manchester New College, London. He also graduated at the London University as B.A. In 1866, he became junior colleague to the late Rev. William James, Minister of Lewin's Mead Meeting, Bristol, and on the death of Mr. James, in 1876, the sole pastor. Mr. Blatchford's hymns were written for the Sunday School anniversary services at Lewin's Mead Meeting, on the dates given below, and were adapted to existing melodies. They were first printed as fly-leaves and include:— 1. A gladsome hymn of praise we sing. Praise. 1876. 2. Awake to the duty, prepare for the strife. Duty. 1878. 3. Lord, without Thy constant blessing. Divine Help. 1… Go to person page >

^ top