Written in 1875 by Phillip Paul Bliss a year before his death in 1876, while he and his wife died in a train wreck on the way to Chicago to sing in a evangelistic service at D. L. Moddy’s tabernacle led by D. W. Whittle.
(1) It was midnight in the valley, and the camp was dark and still, Where the slumb’ring host of Midian lay along the sloping hill, When a blinding flash of torches, and a trumpet loud and shrill, Threw out the battle cry: (C) Blow ye the trumpet, for the Lord hath made us free; Your blazing lamps raise high! The sword of the Lord and of Gideon, shall be Our conquering battle cry. (2) Where the faint and fearful thousands had returned at God’s command, By the chosen few of faithful, vict’ry came to Gideon’s band; Hear them giving God the glory, and around the camp they stand And shout their battle cry: (3) Christian soldiers, be not fearful; onward with your Captain go; Ever looking unto Jesus you shall conquer ev’ry foe; He hath triumphed—take your trumpets, let the world your victory know; Sing loud your battle cry: