Civil War Lyrics | Hold the Fort | Civil War Music

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Hold the Fort

Written and composed by Philip P. Bliss

Based upon Revelation 2:25, 3:11

George Whitefield

“Hold the Fort” was written by evangelist Philip Paul Bliss in 1870 after hearing a Federal army veteran describe the October 5, 1864 Battle of Allatoona Pass (near Cartersville, Georgia). The Federal garrison at the pass was heavily outnumbered when attacked by the division of Confederate Major General Samuel G. French. Upon learning about the signal flags message sent from Union Major General William T. Sherman to Brigadier General John M. Corse telling him to “Hold the Fort, for I am coming!”* with reinforcements Bliss was inspired to write that Jesus signals Christians to hold strong to their beliefs “for I am coming.”


Ho, my comrades, see the signal, waving in the sky!

Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.


“Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still;

Wave the answer back to Heaven, “By Thy grace we will.”


See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on;

Mighty men around us falling, courage almost gone!


“Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still;

Wave the answer back to Heaven, “By Thy grace we will.”


See the glorious banner waving! Hear the trumpet blow!

In our Leader's Name we'll triumph over every foe.


“Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still;

Wave the answer back to Heaven, “By Thy grace we will.”


Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near;

Onward comes our great Commander, cheer, my comrades, cheer!


“Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still;

Wave the answer back to Heaven, “By Thy grace we will.”

*The exact signal flag message is disputed, but was probably not the precise words in the hymn.

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http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Hold_the_Fort/midi/