"O, We Are Volunteers" (1862)
(The "Silver Chime" Army Song)
Words and Music
by George Frederick Root, 1820-1895

Boston: Henry Tolman & Co., 201 Washington St.
E. L. Baloh, Music Printer, 34 School St.
[Source: pages 52-53 from
"The Silver Chime" by George. F. Root]

1. O, we are volunteers in the army of the Lord,
Forming into line at our captain’s word;
We are under marching orders to take the battlefield,
And we’ll ne’er give o’er the fight till the foe shall yield.

CHORUS [sung after each verse]
Come and join the army, the army of the Lord,
Jesus is our Captain, we rally at his word;
Sharp will be the conflict with the pow’rs of sin,
But with such a Leader, we are sure to win.

2. The glory of our flag is the emblem of the dove,
Gleaming are our swords from the forge of love;
We go forth, but not to battle for earthly honors gain,
’Tis a bright immortal crown that we seek to gain.

3. Our foes are in the field, pressing hard on ev’ry side,
Envy, anger, hatred, with self and pride;
They are cruel, fierce and strong, ever ready to attack,
We must watch and fight and pray if we’d drive them back.

4. O, glorious is the struggle in which we draw the sword,
Glorious is the Kingdom of Christ, our Lord;
I shall spread from sea to sea, it shall reach from shore to shore,
And his people shall be blessed for evermore.