Scripture Verse

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2

Introduction

portrait
Eliza E. Hewitt (1851–1920)

Words: Eli­za E. Hew­itt, in Liv­ing Hymns, ed­it­ed by John Swe­ney & John N. Wa­na­mak­er (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: John J. Hood, 1890), num­ber 74.

Music: John R. Swe­ney (🔊 pdf nwc).

portrait
John R. Sweney (1837–1899)

Lyrics

Onward still, and upward,
Follow ev­er­more
Where our mighty leader
Goes in love before;
Looking unto Je­sus,
Reach a helping hand
To a struggling neighbor,
Helping him to stand.

Refrain

Marching onward, upward,
Marching steadily, onward,
Jesus leads the way;
Marching onward, upward,
Onward unto glo­ry,
To the perfect day.

Onward, ever onward,
Thro’ the pastures green,
Where the streams flow softly,
Under skies serene;
Or, if need be, upward,
O’er the rocky steep,
Trusting Him who guides us,
Strong to save and keep.

Refrain

Upward, ever upward,
Toward the radiant glow,
Far above the valley,
Where the mist hangs low;
On, with songs of gladness,
Till the march shall end,
Where ten thousand, thousand
Hallelujahs blend.

Refrain