The Story of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"

Julia Ward Howe

On a day much like this one, in November of 1861, Julia Ward Howe wrote the words to a song that encouraged the Union soldiers, influenced the course of the Civil War, and perhaps changed the course of history. 

This is the inspiring story behind that song, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” as told by Julia's great-great-great grandson.

It's a story we can share with our children to give them inspiration and confidence as they face the challenges ahead.
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"I awoke in the grey of the morn­ing, and as I lay wait­ing for dawn, the long lines of the de­sired poem be­gan to en­twine them­selves in my mind. Having thought out all the stanzas, I said to my­self, 'I must get up and write these vers­es, lest I fall asleep again and for­get them!' So I sprang out of bed and in the dim­ness found an old stump of a pen, which I re­mem­bered us­ing the day be­fore. I scrawled the vers­es al­most with­out look­ing at the p­aper."

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Battle Hymn of the Republic

Lyrics: Julia Ward Howe

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.

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 in the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth 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 live to make men free;
While God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.