In Popular Culture
Largely because of its association with missionaries of various types, the song is sung in a number of movies and television programmes. The 1939 film, Stanley and Livingstone, depicts Dr. David Livingstone (played by Sir Cedric Hardwicke) spiritedly leading a choir of African people in this anthem; Henry M. Stanley is played by Spencer Tracy in the movie. The piece appears in several other films, including Major Barbara, Mrs. Miniver, A Canterbury Tale, The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming, M*A*S*H, Taps, Striptease, The Bushbaby, Walker, Androcles and the Lion, and Flyboys. It is also sung or played in episodes of TV series, including Little House on the Prairie, The Simpsons, Little Britain and Dad's Army.
Onward Christian Soldiers is the title of a 1984 album and song by the British anarcho-punk band Icons of Filth. In the book Sins of the Assassin by Robert Ferrigno, the song is the national anthem of the fictional Bible Belt. In Christopher Webber's 1993 play Dr Sullivan and Mr Gilbert, the hymn is used with new words about Sullivan's rise to fame, and the artistic compromises that entailed.
"Christian Zeal and Activity", a 1973 work by American composer John Adams, is an arrangement of Sullivan's tune. The hymn's tune has also been used as the basis for many parodies, including Lloyd George Knew My Father and Like a mighty tortoise, / Moves the Church of God; / Brothers, we are treading / Where we've always trod.
Read more about this topic: Onward, Christian Soldiers
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