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.

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

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

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

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