The song you know as the Battle Hymn (Glory Glory Hallelujah) was written by Julia Ward Howe in 1861. It quickly became a well-known patriotic American song.
Lyrics:
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 has lost the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword His truth 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 die to make men free His truth is marching on Glory, Glory, Hallelujah, Glory, Glory, Hallelujah, Glory, Glory, Hallelujah, His truth is marching on
Listen to a 1916 version of the song here:
The music, however, was from a trending folksong called the "John Brown Song", popular among military circles at the time. James E. Greenleaf, C. S. Hall, C. B. Marsh, and others, were credited with writing the lyrics, although there were claims that others wrote it. At any rate, the crudeness of the song prompted Howe to create a friendlier version. The following are the official lyrics of the John Brown Song, from an old flyer published in 1861:
John Brown's body lies a mouldering in the grave,
John Brown's body lies a mouldering in the grave, John Brown's body lies a mouldering in the grave,
His soul's marching on!
(Chorus:)
Glory Hally, Hallelujah! Glory Hally Hallelujah! Glory Hally Hallelujah! His soul's marching on!
He's gone to be a soldier in the army of the Lord,
He's gone to be a soldier in the army of the Lord,
He's gone to be a soldier in the army of the Lord,
His soul's marching on!
Glory Hally, Hallelujah! Glory Hally Hallelujah! Glory Hally Hallelujah! His soul's marching on!
John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back,
John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back,
John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back,
His soul's marching on!
Glory Hally, Hallelujah! Glory Hally Hallelujah! Glory Hally Hallelujah! His soul's marching on!
His pet lambs will meet him on the way,
His pet lambs will meet him on the way, His pet lambs will meet him on the way,
They go marching on!
Glory Hally, Hallelujah! Glory Hally Hallelujah! Glory Hally Hallelujah! They go marching on!
They will hang Jeff Davis to a tree!
They will hang Jeff Davis to a tree! They will hang Jeff Davis to a tree!
As they march along?
Glory Hally, Hallelujah! Glory Hally Hallelujah! Glory Hally Hallelujah! As they march along!
Now, three rousing cheers for the Union!
Now, three rousing cheers for the Union! Now, three rousing cheers for the Union!
As we are marching on! Glory Hally, Hallelujah! Glory Hally Hallelujah!
Glory Hally Hallelujah! Hip, Hip, Hip, Hip, Hurrah!