Battle Hymn of the Republic

"Battle Hymn of the Republic"
Cover of the 1863 sheet music for the "Battle Hymn of the Republic"
LyricsJulia Ward Howe, 1861; 163 years ago (1861)
MusicWilliam Steffe, 1856; arranged by James E. Greenleaf, C. S. Hall, and C. B. Marsh, 1861
Audio sample
"The Battle Hymn of the Republic" as performed by the United States Air Force Band
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and West Point Band performing "Battle Hymn of the Republic".

The "Battle Hymn of the Republic" is an American patriotic song written by the abolitionist writer Julia Ward Howe during the American Civil War.

Howe adapted her song from the soldiers' song "John Brown's Body" in November 1861, and sold it for $4 to The Atlantic Monthly[1] in February 1862. In contrast to the lyrics of the soldiers’ song, her version links the Union cause with God's vengeance at the Day of Judgment (through allusions to biblical passages such as Isaiah 63:1–6, Revelation 19 and Revelation 14:14–19).

Julia Ward Howe was married to Samuel Gridley Howe, a scholar in education of the blind. Both Samuel and Julia were also active leaders in anti-slavery politics and strong supporters of the Union. Samuel was a member of the Secret Six, the group who funded John Brown's work.[2]

  1. ^ Ken Burns' "Civil War" miniseries, episode 2
  2. ^ Reynolds, David S. "John Brown Abolitionist: The Man Who Killed Slavery, Sparked the Civil War, and Seeded Civil Rights." Vintage Books, pp. 209–215.