Scripture Verse

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

Introduction

Words & Mu­sic: Will­iam T. Giffe, in On­ward and Up­ward, ed­it­ed by Eph­ra­im T. Hil­de­brand & James D. Vaugh­an (Lo­gans­port, In­di­ana: Home Mu­sic Com­pa­ny, 1898) (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
William T. Giffe (1848–1926)

Lyrics

Onward and up­ward, go forth in thy might,
Onward and up­ward for God and the right;
Onward and up­ward from dark­ness to light,
Bravely and cheer­ful­ly, Chris­tian, press on.

Refrain

Onward, up­ward, brave­ly and cheer­ful­ly go;
Onward, up­ward, God and the right to know.

Onward! the prize and high call­ing to win;
Onward, for Je­sus and vic­to­ry o’er sin;
Onward! the work of the Mas­ter begin;
Bravely and cheer­ful­ly, Chris­tian, press on.

Refrain

Upward, look up­ward, O mor­tal, and see;
Jesus is stand­ing and plead­ing for thee;
Upward, yes, up­ward, look now and be free;
Bravely and cheer­ful­ly, Chris­tian, press on.

Refrain