“Am I a Soldier of the Cross”
Laura and Mary lay in their trundle bed and listened to the Sunday hymns, for even the fiddle must not sing the week-day songs on Sundays. — Little House in the Big Woods, Chapter 5, “Sundays”
Isaac Watts wrote “Am I A Soldier Of The Cross” in conjunction with a sermon he was giving based on 1 Corinthians 16:13: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” The music is “Arlington” by Thomas A. Arne, composed in 1762.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748) was an English preacher, poet, and hymn writer. He wrote over five hundred hymns and published books of poetry, hymns, and sermons. Most of his hymns were written during a two-year period after leaving school. Watts preached his first sermon at age 24 and in 1702 was ordained as a pastor.
Thomas Augustine Arne (1710-1778) was an English composer who wrote a great deal of theater music. He also played the violin. Arne is perhaps best known for his patriotic song, “Rule Britannia.” Trained in the legal profession, Arne would practice and perform in secret, but soon left the law to devote his life to music.
In the existing manuscript for Little House in the Big Woods, Pa sings an additional Sunday song along with “Rock of Ages” and “Am I a Soldier of the Cross.” He sings “There is a Fountain.”
1. Am I a soldier of the cross–
A foll’wer of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?
2. Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease;
While others fought to win the prize,
And sail’d thro’ bloody seas?
3. Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace
To help me on to God?
4. Since I must fight if I would reign,
Increase my courage, Lord;
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy word.
5. Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith they bring it nigh.
6. When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all thy armies shine
In robes of victory through the skies,
The glory shall be thine.
(from Little House in the Big Woods)
Shall I be carried to the skies,
On flowry beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
CLICK HERE to listen.
“Am I a Soldier of the Cross” (BW 5)
“Shall I be carried to the skies…”