He who would Valiant Be - John Bunyan

"To be a Pilgrim" (also commonly known as "He would Valiant be" is the only hymn John Bunyan is credited with writing but is indelibly associated with him. It first appeared in Part 2 of Pilgrim's Progress, written in 1684 while he was serving a twelve-year sentence in Bedford Gaol on a charge of preaching without a licence. The hymn recalls the words of Hebrews 11:13: "...and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."

The words were modified extensively by Percy Dearmer for the 1906 The English Hymnal. At the same time it was given a new tune by British composer Vaughan Williams using the traditional Sussex melody "Monk's Gate". The hymn has also been sung to the melody "Moab" (John Roberts, 1870) and St. Dunstans (Charles W. Douglas, 1917).

Bunyan's original version is not commonly sung in churches today, perhaps because of the references to "hobgoblin" and "foul fiend." However, one commentator has said: "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."

The hymn's refrain "to be a pilgrim" has entered the language and has been used in the title of a number of books dealing with pilgrimage in a literal or spiritual sense.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• hymn
• christian
• bible
• traditional
• church
• evangelical
• worship
• praise
• puritan

[arriscado75]

john bunyan, the true antichrist.

[TheHymnClub]

@arriscado75 "antiChrist," why?

[leelum1990]

Anyone know where I can buy this song? iTunes doesn't have it :(

[TheHymnClub]

@leelum1990 Try Amazon, in their mp3 downloads section.

[whybother06]

Thanks fo posting. This is a great version, can you tell me who it is please?

[TheHymnClub]

@whybother06 Thanks! The Carnival Band.

[battywattywoo]

It's a song I remember fondly from schooldays; and I like the backing-music added here.

[verziehen]

@arriscado75 You've made a damning accusation. Have you the courage to explain why?

[arriscado75]

just a joke, sorry.

[chesspiece1000]

The distinctive voice of Maddy Prior. Who sang with Steeleye Span on Guadete and All around my hat !!

[iPeteStorr]

the best version I have heard, thanks

[DanielsViews]

For some reason I found this recording delightful.  I would like to hear Charlie Zahm sing it.

[washingzoo1]

The 3rd verse is :----

Since, Lord, Thou dost defend us with Thy Spirit, We know we at the end, shall life inherit. Then fancies flee away! I’ll fear not what men say, I’ll labor night and day to be a pilgrim.

[washingzoo1]

The 1st 2 verses of the lyric are:----

He who would valiant be ’gainst all disaster, Let him in constancy follow the Master. There’s no discouragement shall make him once relent His first avowed intent to be a pilgrim.

Who so beset him round with dismal stories Do but themselves confound—his strength the more is. No foes shall stay his might; though he with giants fight, He will make good his right to be a pilgrim.