Battle Hymn Of The Republic Lyrics
Tune Name: MARCHING SONG
Composer: William Steffe
Meter: 6.6.8.6 D
Hymnbook Source: Union Army hymnals, 1862
Verse 1
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 lightning
Of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.
Verse 2
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.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His day is marching on.
Verse 3
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.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Since God is marching on.
Verse 4
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.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.
Verse 5
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 live to make men free;
[originally - let us die to make men free]
While God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
While God is marching on.
Verse 6
He is coming like the glory
Of the morning on the wave,
He is wisdom to the mighty,
He is honor to the brave;
So the world shall be His footstool,
And the soul of wrong His slave,
Our God is marching on.
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Our God is marching on.
Hymn Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Battle Hymn of the Republic |
| Author / Lyricist | Julia Ward Howe (1819–1910) |
| Composer / Tune | William Steffe (1820–1900) |
| Date Written | 1861 (lyrics); tune earlier popular as "John Brown’s Body") |
| Historical Context | Written during the American Civil War, inspired by a visit to a Union army camp. Reflects abolitionist and Unionist sentiments. |
| Theme / Message | God’s justice and judgment; righteousness prevailing over evil; the march of divine justice in history. |
| Notable Features | Poetic imagery linking God’s wrath to moral and military struggle; originally a patriotic anthem; widely adopted for political and religious purposes. |
| Cultural / Religious Impact | Became a staple in American patriotic and religious events; cited in sermons and social movements as a call for moral action. |
| Source / Scholarship | The Battle Hymn of the Republic: A Biography of the Song – Richard B. Goetz; American Hymns Old and New – Harry Eskew |
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Prayer: Thank You King of Glory that you are a Mighty Man of War. Thank You, Righteous Father, that you fight the battles of injustice and inequity for Your People throughout the world. Glorify Your Name, O God, in our lives, for we put our trust in You, Father. Thank You for the triumphant, victorious work of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, dying once for all so that those who live may live for Him Who died for us through His resurrected Life in heavenly places in Him. You are The Mighty God and we bless You, Everlasting Father in Jesus' Name. Amen!
