Julia Ward Howe
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"The Battle Hymn of the Republic"
The story goes that Howe and a group of her friends observed the retreat of Union forces after the 1st Battle of Bull Run. She and the others sang "John Brown's Body" in an attempt to maintain their own spirits and any soldiers who may have heard them. That night, Howe penned the poem "Mine Eyes have seen the Glory of the Coming of the Lord." Sources differ on whether or not she had the tune of "John Brown's Body" in mind as she penned it or if she or another applied the verse to the melody. Nonetheless, the publication of the poem and it's being set to music had an electric affect upon Union morale.* It has become the most popular patriotic song in America. One may as well count the grains of sands on the beaches of Oahu as well as count the number of arrangements and performances of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." It was a candidate to become the official national anthem.
Sources: Atlantic Monthly & The Library of Congress
*Twice since "Battle Hymn of the Republic" have songs helped stir up early support for America's war. "Over There" by George M. Cohen became the rallying song of World War 1, while soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 "We did it before and We shall do it again," by Cliff Friend and Charlie Tobias, with the aid Warner Brothers' cartoons, did the same with World War 2 America in February 1942.
Sources: Atlantic Monthly & The Library of Congress
*Twice since "Battle Hymn of the Republic" have songs helped stir up early support for America's war. "Over There" by George M. Cohen became the rallying song of World War 1, while soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 "We did it before and We shall do it again," by Cliff Friend and Charlie Tobias, with the aid Warner Brothers' cartoons, did the same with World War 2 America in February 1942.
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Lyrics 1861
Published in Atlantic Monthly Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord: He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightnings of His terrible swift sword: His truth is marching on. CHORUS--Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on. I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps; They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps: I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps: His day is marching on. CHORUS--Glory, glory, hallelujah, &c. His day is marching on. I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel: "As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal; Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel, Since God is marching on." CHORUS--Glory, glory, hallelujah &c. Since God is marching on. He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat: He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat: Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant my feet! Our God is marching on! CHORUS--Glory, glory, hallelujah, &c. Our God is marching on! In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me; As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, While God is marching on. CHORUS--Glory, glory, hallelujah, &c. While God is marching on. |
Broadside. Courtesy Library of Congress
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