Mail Art or is it just Art?

The track Onward Christian Soldiers by This Window offers a layered reinterpretation of the 1865 hymn penned by Sabine Baring-Gould, blending historical, religious, and pop-cultural motifs into a provocative multimedia experience. While Baring-Gould’s original lyrics were intended as a rousing call to Christian unity and spiritual warfare, This Window reframes the hymn through a lens of wartime nostalgia and modern critique.

• Religious Undertones: The original hymn, famously set to music by Arthur Sullivan, evokes themes of divine mission and moral righteousness. This Window retains this spiritual backbone but juxtaposes it with imagery that complicates the notion of “holy war”—especially in light of 20th-century and contemporary conflicts.

• Commando Comic Book Aesthetic: The video draws heavily from the visual language of 1960s Commando comics—bold, heroic, and often jingoistic depictions of WWII. This retro styling serves both as homage and critique, highlighting how war was mythologised for young readers while subtly questioning the glorification of violence.

• European War Retrospective: By referencing the European theatre of WWII (1939–1945), the track situates itself within a historical continuum of conflict. The use of archival-style visuals, evokes the trauma and propaganda of the era, while also gesturing toward the cyclical nature of war.

• Modern-Day Parallels: The inclusion of contemporary conflict references—whether visual, lyrical, or symbolic—suggests that the “marching” of Christian soldiers is not confined to history. It invites reflection on how religious and ideological fervour continue to shape global tensions.

   

This Window’s version isn’t just a cover—it’s a conceptual reimagining. By weaving together religious fervour, wartime propaganda, and modern critique, it challenges viewers to reconsider what it means to march “as to war.” Baring-Gould’s ties to Baring Bank adds another layer—hinting at the entanglement of faith, finance, and empire.