The American Heritage Songs Project
#8 Battle Hymn
of the Republic
The song, we still hear performed today, comes from the poem written by Julia Ward Howe (wife, mother, abolitionist, women’s suffragist, humanitarian, and poet). In 1861, many troops could be heard singing, “John Brown’s body lies a moldering in the grave.” These lyrics were made up by soldiers and sung to William Steffe’s popular hymn tune,
“Say Brother’s, Will You Meet Us,” (composed ca. 1856).
One might imagine that Julia Ward Howe was not too pleased, hearing the soldiers sing such course lyrics with a familiar church hymn. Howe’s inspired lyrics to the familiar hymn tune became known as Battle Hymn of the Republic: “Glory Hallelujah.” ​​
Introduction to the song from the 1906 book, Songs Every Child Should Know by Dolores Bacon:
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This melody was first used as a Sunday School Hymn in Charleston, South Carolina, and may have been written by William Steffe in 1856. When the 12th Massachusetts regiment passed through Boston and New York they sang this song, -- probably for the sake of its swinging refrain -- "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!" On the instant, the song found national adoption. Since the words written by Julia Ward Howe were given to the melody, the song has been sung by the "military" the world over.
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Sheet Music & Lesson Plan
with additional resources
Sheet Music
SATB
Bb Recommended Key
Lesson Plan
In Progress
Bb, One Verse
Large Print
Video: Battle Hymn of the Republic performed by the Tabernacle Choir on Temple Square.
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. (2019, June 27). Battle Hymn of the Republic (Live from West Point) / The Tabernacle Choir. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/G9anfFdAr3E?si=OBv0JLwyvNOz7auV
Video: Shows images from America's Second Great Awakening and plays audio performance of "Say, Brother's Will You Meet Us?"
Columbia Yore. (2018, December 12). Say Brothers, Will You Meet Us? [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/8N8dBex8lY8?si=xosMIhFUvWWMj1pK
Notice the words to this hymn were written by someone who remains unknown. We can surmise the author, "A. Lady," was a woman who was not as wealthy, or prominent as Julia Ward Howe. It was unusual for a woman during this period of history to have been recognized for her work.
Julia Ward Howe (1819–1910)
Julia Ward Howe (1819–1910) was an accomplished author, poet, lecturer, and social reformer whose words gave America one of its most enduring patriotic hymns. In November 1861, while visiting Union Army camps near Washington, D.C., Howe heard soldiers enthusiastically singing "John Brown's Body," a popular marching song set to a lively camp-meeting tune. A friend remarked that the melody deserved more elevated words, and the suggestion remained with her. Early the next morning, Howe awoke before dawn with lines of poetry forming rapidly in her mind. Fearing they might disappear, she quickly rose and wrote them down before the inspiration faded.
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The poem, titled "Battle Hymn of the Republic," was first published in the February 1862 issue of The Atlantic Monthly, where Howe received just $5 for her contribution. Although modestly compensated, she had written words that would inspire a nation during one of the darkest periods of the Civil War. Set to the familiar melody of "John Brown's Body," the hymn expressed faith that God's justice and truth would ultimately prevail. It was soon embraced by Union soldiers and civilians alike, becoming one of the defining musical expressions of the Civil War and one of America's most beloved patriotic songs.
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More than 160 years later, "Battle Hymn of the Republic" continues to remind us that music has the power to strengthen courage, sustain hope, and unite people during times of trial. Julia Ward Howe's inspired words have endured because they speak not only to a particular moment in American history, but also to the enduring principles of faith, sacrifice, liberty, and justice that continue to shape our nation's story.
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References
Howe, J. W. (1862). Battle hymn of the Republic. The Atlantic Monthly, 9(52), 10. https://www.theatlantic.com/
Library of Congress. (n.d.). Battle Hymn of the Republic. https://www.loc.gov/collections/patriotic-melodies/articles-and-essays/battle-hymn-of-the-republic/
Library of Congress. (2019, May 27). Happy 200th birthday to Julia Ward Howe! https://blogs.loc.gov/music/2019/05/happy-200th-birthday-to-julia-ward-howe/
