Scripture Verse

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

Introduction

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Fanny Crosby (1820–1915)

Words: Fan­ny Cros­by, in Sac­red Songs No. 1, by Ira San­key, James Mc­Gra­na­han & George Steb­bins (New York: Big­low & Main, 1896), num­ber 2. Some hym­nals give the au­thor as Ro­bert Bruce, one of Fan­ny’s pseu­do­nyms.

Music: Den­pa­sar Ira D. San­key (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Ira D. Sankey (1840–1908)

Lyrics

Onward, on­ward, look­ing un­to Je­sus,
Casting quick­ly ev­ery weight aside;
While we run the race that’s set be­fore us,
Firm as a rock let our faith abide.

Refrain

Lo, a cloud of wit­ness­es be­hold us,
They through faith were vic­tors in the race;
Let us glad­ly fol­low their ex­am­ple,
Trusting the Sav­ior for strength and grace.

Onward, on­ward, look­ing un­to Je­sus,
Pressing for­ward, we the race will run;
Claiming ev­er His di­vine pro­tect­ion,
We shall not fail till the crown is won.

Refrain

Onward, on­ward, look­ing un­to Je­sus,
Joy awaits us on the oth­er shore;
There we’ll sing the song of our re­demp­tion,
Safe, safe at last when the strife is o’er.

Refrain