I remember this song being sung quite a bit by choirs and congregation of my African American Baptist Church in Atlantic City, New Jersey {1950s-1965} and afterwards sometimes during visits.

The verses are similar to those listed in Q's 30 Nov 04 - 01:37 AM post"

1. We are climbin Jacob's Ladder {ladder}
   We are climbin Jacob's Ladder {ladder}
   We are climbin Jacob's Ladder {ladder}
   Soldier of the cross

2. Every round goes higher higher {higher}
   Every round goes higher higher {higher}
   Every round goes higher higher {higher}
   Soldier of the cross

3. Do you think I'll make ah soldier {soldier}
   Do you think I'll make ah soldier {soldier}
   Do you think I'll make ah soldier {soldier}
   Soldier of the cross

4. If you love him why not serve him {serve him}
   If you love him why not serve him {serve him}
   If you love him why not serve him {serve him}
   Soldier of the cross

5. repeat verse one

-snip-

This was basically a unison song, but the word or words in parenthesis were sung by some -not all- members of the choir and congregation {the men?} and had an echo-like effect [Is this a variant form of call& response?].

The first and second line were sung the same way. But on the third line your voice goes up and ends on a high note Like most African American songs, the last line ends with the voice on a down note/

Sorry, I don't know musical terms so my description may be confusing.

BTW, I have to confess that until I read this thread, I didn't 'get' that the word "round" in the line "Every round goes higher higher" meant the "rungs" of a ladder.

"Round".."Rung"..Okay-I get it except I usually think of bells and not ladders when I hear or see the word "rung"...

Frankly, I never wondered what that word meant in the context of that song. I just sang it cause I liked the tune and the words were the way everybody sung it. So that was that...