Posted on 02/02/2005 9:07:22 PM PST by murphE
Does anyone know this song? My sister who was Confirmed in 1969 told me they were all taught to sing this as they processed out of the church after mass on Confirmation day. She remembers being very proud singing this song that day. (She still remembers it!) I think it's adorable, and I think it is an example of how much things have changed. How many newly Confirmed Catholics are taught that they are soldiers for Christ today? I think most pseudo sophisticated kids today would find it goofy.
Ping
Maybe you know this?
Awesome, thanks for posting this.
Never heard it before!
The song I rememeber most is Onward Christian Soldiers.I am still one in hope and charity...just not doctrine. ;-)
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war.
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See His banner go!
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war.
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
At the sign of triumph
Satan's host dost flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise!
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war.
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
Like a mighty army
Moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod;
We are not divided;
All one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war.
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
Onward, then ye people,
Join our happyy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song;
Glory, laud, and honor,
Unto Christ the King:
This thro' countless ages
Men and angels sing.
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war.
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
Now, it makes me wonder if the lyrics were written during the crusades.
Thanks for responding. :-)
I was also confirmed in 1969 - and no we did not use that hymn. Nor did we sing Onward Christian Soldiers, though that too is appropriate.
Yes, the words might seem hokey - but they speak truth. Once you have validly been Confirmed, you are indeed a Soldier for Christ, master of your soul. You should know enough to defend your faith.....and the Devil cannot take it from you, unless you allow that to happen.
Onward Christian Soldiers, written by Arthur S. Sullivan (of Gilbert & Sullivan fame), and Sabine Baring-Gould who penned 5 verses of lyrics. The 4th verse is:
"Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane, but the Church of Jesus constant shall remain;
Gates of hell can never "gainst that church prevail; we have Christ's own promise, and that cannoT fail."
But of course if you or I suggested this hymn we would be laughed at, and/or banished from the parish.
But of course if you or I suggested this hymn we would be laughed at, and/or banished from the parish.
How did you guess? That's just what happened, I was laughed at, not banished, just ostracized. This however turned out to be a GRACE!
Some folks would be amazed to learn that "Come Holy Ghost" actually has seven verses - which are an alliteration of the "Veni Creator Spiritus" (the.....what?).
but, of course.....since this was not written by Marty Haugen or the St. Louis Gay Chorus........er Jesuits....it is not used.
One seemingly traditional hymn - which was originaly an Anglican hymn for major feasts and processions - is "Lift High the Cross" - and it is sometimes used for Confirmations. Emasculated of most of its masculine pronouns, it was stripped by "Catholic" publishers to a measley 4 verses. In reality it has 12 magnificent verses which praise the power of the Cross in its triumph over sin, death, and Satan himself!
Here are examples of verses which would be an inspiration to the average 12 - 13 year old.........and would frighten the gay priests:
"Led on their way by this triumphant sign, teh hosts of God, in conquering ranks combine"
"Each newborn soldier of the Crucified bears on his brow the seal of Him who died"
"This is the sign which Satan's legions fear, adn angels veil their faces to revere"
"Saved by this cross whereon their Lord was slain, the sons of Adam their lost home regain"
"O Lord, once lifted on this glorious tree, as thou hast promised, draw men unto Thee"
"From farthest regions let them homage bring, and on His cross, adore their Saviour King"
"set up Thy throne, that earth's despair may cease. beneath the shadow of its healing peace".
"For thy blest cross which doth for all atone, Creation's praises rise before Thy throne!"
Between the magnificent tune written by Sidney H. Nicholson, and the powerful words.........it must make demons flee!
One of my favorites is Holy God We Praise Thy Name. I used to play it when I taught about the Communion of Saints to my CCD class.
Oh yes, I remember this. They used to play it to us on a record with other songs -- each dealing with a separate sacrament. This is the only song -- played in a march tempo, to underscore the militaristic theme -- that I remember from the album. Even at the age of 9 or so, I thought it a bit catchy but also a bit cheesy. I didn't know the word "triumphalist" at the time, but I think it applies. So does "moral vanity".
Now, this is not to say that I have a quarrel with any of the ideas in the song. I do understand and accept the idea of the Church militant. I do believe it's my duty to be Catholic unambiguously and without shame. Why then did I recoil from the song? I think it must be its exhortatory, collectivist cast. The mode of presentation was propagandistic, groupthink -- an appeal to childish hunger to be included in the happening group. I didn't and do not think the Christian call to conversion and sacrifice should be presented as a facile matter of falling in line, yet this is the subtext of all music in march time, working through rhythm to urge our bodies through emotion and enthusiasm. This is not how the Church should preach.
Interesting post, I was beginning to think my sister imagined the whole thing.
(An Army of Youth) by Rev. Daniel A. Lord, S.J., 1932
An army of youth flying the standards of Truth,
We’re fighting for Christ, the Lord.
Heads lifted high, Catholic Action our cry,
And the Cross our only sword.
On Earth’s battlefield never a vantage we’ll yield
As dauntlessly on we swing.
Comrades true, dare and do 'neath the Queen's white and blue,
For our flag, for our faith, for Christ the King!
BTTT
LOL, no I didn't "think" it, and only half-felt it. I wasn't able to put things like this into words till I was 40 or more. It wasn't that I was immune to the song's influence. Quite the opposite, in fact. But with all its seductive appeal, still the song didn't seem quite right. I have never been much of a joiner.
That's a good one! Sadly I can't say I've ever heard it.
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