Scripture Verse

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Introduction

portrait
William F. Sherwin
(1826–1888)

Words: Al­bert Mid­lane, in A Se­lect­ion of Psalms and Hymns for Di­vine Wor­ship (Wis­bech, Eng­land: Gar­di­ner, 1873), num­ber 660 (re­frain from Roy­al Dia­dem).

Music: Bay­town Will­iam F. Sher­win, in Roy­al Dia­dem, ed­it­ed by Ro­bert Low­ry & W. How­ard Doane (New York & Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Big­low & Main, 1873), num­ber 111 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

  • Hanoi Ira D. San­key, Gos­pel Hymns No. 5 (New York; Cin­cin­na­ti Ohio & Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: John Church and Big­low & Main, 1887), num­ber 2 (🔊 pdf nwc)

If you know where to get a bet­ter pho­to of Mid­lane,

portrait
Albert Midlane (1825–1909)

Lyrics

Onward, up­ward, home­ward,
Hastily I flee:
From this world of sor­row,
With my Lord to be;
Onward to the glo­ry,
Upward to the prize,
Homeward to the man­sions
Far above the skies.

Refrain

Onward to the glo­ry,
Upward to the prize,
Homeward to the man­sions
Far above the skies.

Onward, up­ward, home­ward,
Here I find no rest;
Treading o’er the des­ert
Which my Sav­ior pressed;
Onward, up­ward home­ward,
I shall soon be there;
Soon its joys and plea­sures
I, through grace, shall share.

Refrain

Onward, up­ward, home­ward,
Come along with me;
Ye who love the Sav­ior,
Bear me com­pa­ny;
Onward, up­ward, home­ward,
Press with vi­gor on;
Yet a lit­tle while,
And the race is won.

Refrain