Battle Hymn of the Republic

Once again, I'm going to divert from my previous Thursday Thirteen list of hymns. This time I want to do something to acknowledge Memorial Day, so I'm bringing this well known text and tune to our attention. At how many funerals of Presidents and other important government officials has this touching hymn been sung and played?

This post is an expression of my thankfulness for the many who have died to help insure the liberties that I sit here and enjoy today. The words of this beloved hymn were written by a woman named Julia Ward Howe during the Civil War. This was a sad and tragic war, but most of us would agree that every war is sad and tragic. I refuse to get into the controversy over the present conflict here, I'll only say that I'm terribly proud of and grateful for those who are now serving and who at times past have served in our military. One of the major reasons for the survival of the freedoms for which this country is known is because of them. Many of them have "died to make men free."

Please pray with me that our nation will know the truths of Christ and that His truth will go marching on here and abroad.

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.

Go to Cyber Hymnal for the rest of the stanzas and the tune.

God bless you at this time of remembrance. Any of you who may have lost a loved one in a war, the Lord be with you in a special way at this time.