Forward! Said the Prophet

Forward! said the pro­phet

Pointing to the sea

March

ye roy­al peo­ple

Through it fear­less­ly!

What though foes are ga­ther­ing

Darkening all the plain

God’s right arm ex­tend­ed

Shall their force re­strain.

Roll back

rush­ing wa­ters!

Stay thy waves

O sea!

That I may gain the bless­èd land

My God has pro­mised me.

What though broad be­fore you

Spreads a toss­ing tide?

God is strong and migh­ty

Waters to di­vide.

With my rod up­lift­ed

Forward see me go.

Back! ye hun­gry bil­lows

Let the peo­ple through.

March

God’s chos­en peo­ple!

Over doubt and dread;

All that daunts shall van­ish

Where ye fear­less tread.

Only march on bold­ly

Looking far away

From the black sea bot­tom

To the break­ing day.

Dread not threat­en­ing bil­lows

Which like walls up­rear

Dread not hosts pur­su­ing

Armed with sword and spear.

Wherefore now faint-heart­ed?

Trust ye in your God!

Look on me

your lead­er

With uplifted rod.

Soon shall all be ga­thered

Safe on yon­der shore

Foes who long have daunt­ed

Ye shall see no more:

Looking back

shall won­der

What ye had to fear;

Marvel how ye doubt­ed

When your help was near.