Forward is the battle shout,
See where floats the conqu’ring sign,
Onward to the war divine!
Refrain
And when the battle’s over, we shall wear a crown,
We shall wear a crown, we shall wear a crown!
And when the battle’s over, we shall wear a crown
In the new Jerusalem!
Wear a crown, wear a crown, away over Jordan!
And when the battle’s over, we shall wear a crown
In the new Jerusalem!
2. Sound the charge against the foe,
Lay the hosts of error low;
In His name, victorious King,
Let the song of triumph ring! [Refrain]
3. Fight the fight of faith and love,
Looking unto Him above;
Loyal soldiers, do and dare,
Your Commander’s joy to share. [Refrain]
“Bugle Calls Are Ringing Out” is a gospel hymn that came into prominence during the late 19th or early 20th century, a time when many Christian hymns carried strong military metaphors. The hymn captures a spiritual call to arms—not for violence or physical conflict, but for the defense and spread of the Christian faith. Its bugle imagery is drawn from military life, where a trumpet or bugle was used to wake, command, or assemble soldiers. In the Christian context, this symbolism represents God’s urgent call to service, a call to rise from complacency and commit to standing for Christ in a world full of spiritual danger.
The lyrics, most commonly attributed to William C. Martin, a prolific hymn writer and preacher, stir the heart with their marching tone and motivational appeal. Martin was known for writing hymns that called for decision, sacrifice, and action. His theological focus often centered on evangelism and service, and “Bugle Calls Are Ringing Out” reflects this passion. Although there’s limited biographical documentation directly tied to this hymn’s origin, its language and themes resonate with Martin’s broader hymn-writing career. He co-authored several hymns with composers like Charles H. Gabriel and Edmund Lorenz and was active during the height of the American revival movement.
In terms of melody, the hymn is often sung in a bright, forward-moving march tempo, designed to rouse the spirit—much like the bugle itself. The musical arrangement pairs well with camp meetings, revival services, or missionary gatherings, where the goal was not just inspiration but mobilization. The repetitive call to "answer now" or "take your place" aims to drive home a sense of immediacy. This wasn't a hymn meant for quiet contemplation—it was a hymn for commitment.
The bugle metaphor was especially relatable in a post-Civil War and pre–World War I era, where the sound of the bugle was a familiar call to duty. Many men who had served in the military or had relatives who had would immediately understand the seriousness and urgency of such a call. That cultural familiarity gave the hymn immediate weight when sung in churches and revival tents across America. The church was seen as God’s army, and each believer had a duty to report for spiritual service, ready to evangelize, fight the good fight of faith, and resist temptation.
It is worth noting that during the early 20th century, the American evangelical movement was in a period of strong missionary expansion. Hymns like “Bugle Calls Are Ringing Out” were not just metaphorical; they were also literal appeals for men and women to become missionaries, pastors, Sunday school teachers, or faithful witnesses in their local communities. It echoed the biblical passages that called Christians to be soldiers (2 Timothy 2:3-4) and to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6). The bugle was calling not to battlefields of Europe or Asia, but to the mission fields of the world and the unseen spiritual battlegrounds of daily life.
The hymn became especially popular in children’s ministries and young people’s societies, such as the Epworth League or the Christian Endeavor movement. These organizations saw the Christian youth as the next generation of spiritual warriors. Songs like this one were used to instill purpose, zeal, and direction. In this sense, “Bugle Calls Are Ringing Out” was not only about responding to God’s call but also about preparing young hearts to see life as a field of spiritual service.
Even though the hymn isn’t as widely sung today as some other “soldier hymns” like “Onward, Christian Soldiers” or “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus,” its legacy survives in hymnals used by smaller evangelical churches and mission organizations that appreciate the robust theology and urgency of its message. The hymn continues to be a call for Christians to take their place in God’s army—not with weapons of war, but with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit.
In today’s context, “Bugle Calls Are Ringing Out” remains relevant because the call to serve, to stand firm in faith, and to resist the spiritual apathy of the age is still ringing. Its trumpet imagery could now be seen as a symbol of spiritual awakening, a reminder that believers are still in a battle—against sin, against the tide of secularism, and against indifference. In churches that emphasize missions, revival, or end-time urgency, this hymn still finds a place, especially when the goal is to stir up a sleeping congregation or challenge Christians to deeper commitment.
The lack of an exact date of composition or first publication only adds to the hymn’s sense of timelessness. It exists as part of a broader tapestry of “militant gospel hymns,” songs that rallied the faithful not to literal war, but to spiritual purpose. It reminds us that the Christian life is not a passive experience but an active campaign—one in which every believer is called to be alert, ready, and obedient to the Master’s summons.
In the end, “Bugle Calls Are Ringing Out” is more than just a hymn from a bygone revival era. It is a timeless call to heed God’s voice, to rise above lukewarm Christianity, and to answer the trumpet that never ceases to sound: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8).
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