And up from the rocky steeps
There arose a cry to the gate of heaven,
“Rejoice! I have found my sheep.”
And the angels echoed around the Throne,
“Rejoice! for the Lord brings back His own.”
“HOLD THE FORT!”
This is named also from its chorus. The historic foundation of the hymn was the flag-signal waved to Gen. G.M. Corse by Gen. Sherman's order from Kenesaw Mountain to Altoona during the “March through Georgia,” in October, 1863. The flag is still in the possession of A.D. Frankenberry, one of the Federal Signal-Corps whose message to the besieged General said, “Hold the fort! We are coming!” A visit to the scene of the incident inspired P.P. Bliss to write both the words and the music.
Ho! my comrades, see the signal
Waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing,