Forgive me if this post is found to be offensive to any readers, but even I do not understand this. Soon it will be the Chief Constable's carol concert. Recently I have been hearing, as in since last year, I have been hearing how the lyrics to the hymn above have been changed. I understand the situation we are in with Iraq and Afghanistan and Israel and Lebanon, and that some may view this as a war between Christianity and Islam. Therefore, clearly some light headed people might view the words above similarly. What I can't find out is the background of the hymn. The hymn itself is sung on Remembrance Day and this to me is about remembering the soldiers that died in the first and second world wars. Unless I am mistaken both wars related to Fascist power and both Christian and non-Christians fought together. In the North of India a very serious battle was won in the Second World War against the Japanese that marked a turning point in the history of World War II in relation to the Japanese. Indian and British troops stood together. In Italy, Indian troops were present yet again. The use of the words, Onwards Christian Soldiers does not offend me personally. Today, as in the present, in Lebanon, when the Israeli's accidentally bombed the NATO HQ, there is a picture of Indian soldiers. This image is a beautiful picture from the Times newspaper. Arguably, and I am not anti Islamic, but these wars are about two faiths, Christianity and Islam. Why then are the words to the hymn deemed so offensive? They relate to our history.
8 comments:
I understand the original words to this hymn are about Christians fighting a war, but not the war we have come to know.
I have no idea why it is played on remembrance day or see what it can really mean in that sense.
Words: Sabine Baring-Gould, in Church Times, 1865. This hymn is sung at the end of the 1942 Academy Award-winning movie, “Mrs. Miniver.”
Music: St. Gertrude, Arthur S. Sullivan, 1871 (MIDI, score).
Arthur S. Sullivan (1842-1900)
Baring-Gould wrote about this hymn:
Whit-Monday is a great day for school festivals in Yorkshire. One Whit-Monday, thirty years ago, it was arranged that our school should join forces with that of a neighboring village. I wanted the children to sing when marching from one village to another, but couldn’t think of anything quite suitable; so I sat up at night, resolved that I would write something myself. “Onward, Christian Soldiers” was the result. It was written in great haste, and I am afraid some of the rhymes are faulty. Certainly nothing has surprised me more than its popularity. I don’t remember how it got printed first, but I know that very soon it found its way into several collections. I have written a few other hymns since then, but only two or three have become at all well-known.
This hymn was sung at the funeral of American president Dwight Eisenhower at the National Cathedral, Washington, DC, March 1969.
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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 banners go!
Refrain
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth 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.
Refrain
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.
Refrain
What the saints established that I hold for true.
What the saints believèd, that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, men the faith will hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction rolled.
Refrain
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.
Refrain
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.
Refrain
The hymn was written in the late 19th Century, the reasons etc posted above. They've got bugger all to do with any war, and certainly bugger all to do with any other religious conflict, if anyone thinks so, then they are stupid and patronising.
Anonymous you may be absolutely right and thank you for adding something positive. The words had nothing to do with war as I read it. It might be stupid to you and the hymn does not offend me, but bearing in mind the mumblings of Blair and Bush, how are Muslim people viewing the hymn in Bradford, Oldham, Dunstable, The West Midlands? And it is sung on Remembrance Day. Soldiers both sides are dyeing. Thanks again. Is it possible that we can patronise each other, not you and I, but peoples, I wonder?
Well the muslim people you refer to should look at the 'FACTS', and get on with life and stop looking to be offended.
I don't actually think the great majority of muslim people in this country get exercised by such matters in any case. They've lives to lead like the rest of us.
Maybe we should put ourselves in the shoes of terrorists? Not that I want to. I say this perceptually. Maybe most Muslim people don't have issues with the words. Facts are great but perceptions can have an impact on policing and other sectors. Do we want to integrate young Muslim people on the margins or do we simply want to have an ethnocentric stance and hold on to that?
Maybe we should put ourselves in the shoes of terrorists? Not that I want to. I say this perceptually. Maybe most Muslim people don't have issues with the words. Facts are great but perceptions can have an impact on policing and other sectors. Do we want to integrate young Muslim people on the margins or do we simply want to have an ethnocentric stance and hold on to that?
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