History of Storm the Forts of Darkness by Robert Johnson (SASB #696)
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
First published in The Musical Salvationist, March, 1892; 1899 S.A. song book.
Written to the melody of the song “‘Here’s to good old whisky, drink it down,’ wrote Lieut.-Colonel Salter, ‘this is one of the most vigorous and spirited of Army war songs. Again and again has it roused a meeting to the glow of enthusiasm. A band in full strength, putting forth its biggest tone, never seems out of place in accompanying the singing of such war-like strains. Yet how narrowly the song escaped being lost for ever. I was told by Johnson himself that he sent the song to The War Cry—the only medium he had for getting the song into general use—three times before it was accepted. For what reasons was it turned down? Perhaps the tune was hardly known sufficiently; perhaps the title was too startling; perhaps in the weekly pile of some 200 songs sent to the paper in those days, it was overlooked, or rather passed into the waste-paper basket unread owing to the pressure of work in the editorial office. Johnson had a strong faith in his song, however, so he sent up copy after copy, and was at last rewarded by seeing his words published in the official organ.”
Taken from Gordon Avery’s “Companion to the Song Book of The Salvation Army” 1961.
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