The hymn “He Who Would Valiant Be,” (also known as “To Be A Pilgrim”) was written by John Bunyan in 1684. John Bunyan is most well-known for his allegory, “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” which has influenced many people over the years. The original words to “He Who Would Valiant Be” were found in Part 2 of “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” but the lyrics were modified in 1906. A fourth verse was also added quite recently (by my dad, actually).
“He Who Would Valiant Be,” like “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” is an allegory of the Christian life. An allegory is a useful tool to help expound or further explain a subject. Jesus used parables, a type of allegory, to veil the truth from some, and reveal it to others.
Allegories use symbolism to create a beautiful and meaningful story. In the case of “He Who Would Valiant Be,” the Christian is likened to a pilgrim, traveling to his faraway home. He faces danger, temptation, and persecution, yet he still carries on. He knows that God will defend and protect him, eventually leading him safely home.
The fourth verse speaks of the day when, at last, the pilgrim reaches his home. Once there, he will leave off traveling forever and stand before God’s throne, praising the name of his Savior.
“He Who Would Valiant Be” is a wonderful illustration of how to use an allegory to express the truth of God’s Word. Whether we are writing a poem or an entire book, we can look to this hymn as an example.
Two different tunes are widely used for this hymn, both of which are beautiful. Click here to listen to ST. DUSTAN’S (Douglas) on Hymnary, and click here to hear a Celtic-like rendition of MONK’S GATE.
(Note: The words accompanying the MONK’S GATE tune are John Bunyan’s original words, so listen closely to hear the difference.)
He Who Would Valiant Be
Verse 1:
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.
Verse 2:
Whoso 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.
Verse 3:
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.
Verse 4:
One day, our Lord shall de-
-scend from above us.
Then we shall finally see
Him who doth love us.
He’ll come and make His claim,
Few things shall be the same,
But we’ll still praise His name—
No longer pilgrims.
Comment below if you have a suggestion for a Hymn of the Month!