Why are you march­ing along to war?
Soldiers true, who are you?
What is the cause you are fight­ing for?
Why are you ne­ver sad?
O we are on­ly rank and file,
Treading the path for ma­ny a mile;
Still ev­ery face must bear a smile,
For Je­sus has made us glad.

Refrain

We’ve en­list­ed in the cause vic­to­ri­ous
Of the ev­er­last­ing Lord;
We are march­ing in the ranks all glo­ri­ous,
Resplendent with the shield and sword.
Christ is our cap­tain, Christ our might,
So we fight, seek­ing right;
Christ is lead­ing us to light
In the all vic­to­ri­ous ar­my.

Who are the foes that you fight with­al,
Ye who stand, sword in hand?
Do you not fear in the strife to fall,
Struck by a dead­ly blow?
Strong are the foes that bar our way,
Many the sins we have to slay;
Still we shall rise and win the day,
Tho’ oft in the dust laid low.

Refrain

What is the sec­ret of your great pow­er,
Soldiers bright, full of might?
Why are you fear­less in dan­ger’s hour,
Strong with the foe to cope?
Jesus it is that makes us strong,
Trusting in Him we march along;
He ever fills our hearts with song,
Our eyes with the light of hope.

Refrain

Where is the home you are march­ing to,
Hearts of youth, hearts of truth?
Is there a king­dom be­yond the blue,
Where you may rest from strife?
Jesus has said that we shall stand,
Victors of faith at His right hand,
Crowned in the light of God’s own land
With joy and eter­nal life.

Refrain