The hymn “He Who Would Valiant Be” is taken from a poem in The Pilgrim’s Progress, Part II, found in the section about Mr. Valiant-for-truth. It was adapted for use as a hymn by Percy Dearmer, one of the editors of the English Hymnal, 1906.
Canon Douglas, who wrote the music (“St. Dunstan’s”), commented concerning this hymn: “Bunyan’s burly song strikes a new and welcome note in our Hymnal. The quaint sincerity of the words stirs us out of our easygoing dull Christianity to the thrill of great adventure” [From The Hymnal 1940 Companion (New York: The Church Plension Fund, 1949), p. 331.]
He Who Would Valiant Be
He who would valiant be’Ginst all disaster,Let him in constancyFollow the Master.There’s no discouragementShall make him once relentHis first avowed intentTo be a pilgrim.Who so beset him roundWith dismal stories,Do but themselves confound,His strength the more is.No foes shall stay his mightThough he with giants fight;He will make good his rightTo be a pilgrim.Since, Lord, Thou dost defendUs with Thy Spirit,We know we at the endShall life inherit.Then fancies flee away!I’ll fear not what men say,I’ll labor night and dayTo be a pilgrim.
Copyright © 1986 by the author or Christianity Today/Christian History magazine. Click here for reprint information on Christian History.
