BARING-GOULD (Sabine)
Onward, Christian Soldiers.
Whitsun Processions
Sabine Baring-Gould’s great hymn was written as a Whitsun processional during his first ministry, in a rough parish in Yorkshire. It was initially sung to a theme by Haydn (the Adagio from his 15th Symphony - it must have made for a slow procession) and only really rose to prominence with Arthur Sullivan’s tremendous and familiar setting “St. Gertrude” from 1871, when it achieved world-wide exposure as the favourite marching hymn of the Salvation Army.
An attractive manuscript, trimmed slightly closely and unevenly at head and foot.
