Forward, Said the Prophet

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Forward, said the prophet, Pointing to the sea

Author: S. Baring-Gould (1874)
Published in 11 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Forward! said the prophet,
Pointing to the sea,
March, ye royal people,
Through it fearlessly!
What though foes are gathering,
Darkening all the plain,
God’s right arm extended,
Shall their force restrain.

Refrain:
Roll back, rushing waters!
Stay thy waves, O sea!
That I may gain the blessèd land
My God has promised me.

2 What though broad before you
Spreads a tossing tide?
God is strong and mighty,
Waters to divide.
With my rod uplifted,
Forward see me go.
Back! ye hungry billows,
Let the people through. [Refrain]

3 March, God’s chosen people!
Over doubt and dread;
All that daunts shall vanish
Where ye fearless tread.
Only march on boldly,
Looking far away,
From the black seabottom,
To the breaking day. [Refrain]

4 Dread not threatening billows
Which like walls uprear,
Dread not hosts pursuing,
Armed with sword and spear.
Wherefore now faint-hearted?
Trust ye in your God!
Look on me, your leader,
With uplifted rod. [Refrain]

5 Soon shall all be gathered
Safe on yonder shore,
Foes who long have daunted,
Ye shall see no more:
Looking back, shall wonder
What ye had to fear;
Marvel how ye doubted
When your help was near. [Refrain]

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #13631

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Author: S. Baring-Gould

Baring-Gould, Sabine, M.A., eldest son of Mr. Edward Baring-Gould, of Lew Trenchard, Devon, b. at Exeter, Jan. 28, 1834, and educated at Clare College, Cambridge, B.A. 1857, M.A. 1860. Taking Holy Orders in 1864, he held the curacy of Horbury, near Wakefield, until 1867, when he was preferred to the incumbency of Dalton, Yorks. In 1871 he became rector of East Mersea, Essex, and in 1881 rector of Lew Trenchard, Devon. His works are numerous, the most important of which are, Lives of the Saints, 15 vols., 1872-77; Curious Myths of the Middle Ages, 2 series, 1866-68; The Origin and Development of Religious Belief, 2 vols., 1869-1870; and various volumes of sermons. His hymns, original and translated, appeared in the Church Times; Hymns Ancien… Go to person page >

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Text Information

Text Information

First Line:	Forward, said the prophet, Pointing to the sea
Title:	Forward, Said the Prophet
Author:	S. Baring-Gould (1874)
Language:	English
Refrain First Line:	Roll back, rushing waters
Copyright:	Public Domain