1. Lead on, O King eternal, The day of march has come; Henceforth in fields of conquest Thy tents shall be our home: Thro' days of preparation Thy grace has made us strong, And now, O King Eternal, We lift our battle song. 2. Lead on, O King Eternal, Till sin's fierce war shall cease, And holiness shall whisper The sweet amen of peace; For not with swords' loud clashing, Or roll of stirring drums; With deeds of love and mercy The heav'nly kingdom comes. 3. Lead on, O King eternal, We follow not with fears; For gladness breaks like morning Where'er Thy face appears; Thy cross is lifted o'er us; We journey in its light: The crown awaits the conquest; Lead on, O God of might.
Lyrics: Ernest Warburton Shurtleff
Music:
Henry Thomas Smart
Tune: LANCASHIRE
Meter: 7.6.7.6.D.
Ernest W. Shurtleff, 1862–1917
Ernest Shurtleff, author of this text, was about to graduate from Andover Seminary in 1887. His classmates at the seminary, recognizing the poetic ability of their colleague, shortly before graduation one day approached Shurtleff with this request:
“Ernest, why don’t you write our class poem. After all, you have already published two volumes of poetry—What’s the use of having a distinguished author in the class if he cannot rise to the occasion and do his class the honor of writing a good poem just for them?”
“Let’s make it a hymn that we can all sing,” replied Shurtleff, “We’ve been spending days of preparation here at seminary. Now the day of march has come and we must go out to follow the leadership of the King of kings, to conquer the world under His banner.”