Forward into light (Alford, set by C. Ives) (The Lied and Art Song Texts Page: Texts and Translations to Lieder, mélodies, canzoni, and other classical vocal music)


Forward flock of Jesus,
Salt of all the earth,
Till each yearning purpose
Springs to glorious birth;
Sick they ask for healing, 
Blind they grope, they grope for day;
Pour upon nations
Wisdom's loving, loving ray.

Forward out of error,
Leave behind the night.
Forward out of darkness,
Forward into light.
Forward when in childhood
Buds the infant mind.
All through youth and manhood
Forward till the veil be lifted,
Climb height to height!
Forward out of darkness:
On ever onward,
Climbing till our faith be sight.

Authorship

Henry Alford (1810-1871)

Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)

Charles Edward Ives (1874-1954)

The Celestial Country

Added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.

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