The Battle Hymn of the Republic (Do you really want to sing it?) 052801

The Battle Hymn of The Republic, Christian or Secular?

The name of Dr. Samuel Howe is largely forgotten in the pages of history today, but in his day he was well known with the radical Abolitionist movement. Among his other actions, he was a financial supporter of the ill-fated raid on Harpers Ferry. His wife, Julia Ward Howe, is better remembered, earning her place in history by her literary contributions to the Abolitionists movement. In 1862, the second year of the War, she was visiting Washington, DC. She saw the campfires of Federal troops encamped on the outskirts of the city and was moved to pen the following poem, later put to music:

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 loosed the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch fires of a hundred circling camps They have built Him an alter in the evening dews and damps I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps His day is marching on.

I have read the fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel As ye deal with My comtempters, so with you My grace shall deal Let the hero born of woman crush the serpent with his heel Since God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never sound retreat He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat O be swift my soul to answer Him! Be jubilant, my feet! Our God 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 did to make men holy, let us die to make men free While God is marching on.

Everyone will recognize this as the Battle Hymn of the Republic, taught in schools and used in churches throughout the country. Howe's literary talent is undeniable and she used it extensively in her fight against slavery. Yet, as people sing this particular piece, one must wonder whether they have understood the message? Do they realize what it is they are singing?" This is not a religious song; if it were, things being as they are, it couldn't be used in the public schools. While relying heavily on Biblical symbolism, it is clearly meant as a call for war.

Anyone with a modest understanding of the Bible, particularly the Book of Revelations, will quickly grasp the significance of her words. Consider the verse, "Let the hero born of woman crush the serpent with his heel". The first part of the line is obviously taken from Genesis 3:15, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; he shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel." Theologians will see a sharp contrast here between the pre-and post-millennial doctrine. To Howe, a post- millennialists, the seed of woman refers to the northern soldier; pre-millennialists have generally taken this seed of woman to the returned Christ. Perhaps this is a minor point, but it gives an insight as to how Howe viewed the coming events. To her and her compatriots, the end of slavery would be a key step in which the human race would bring in the millenium. This also gives an insight into what must precede.

The second part of the line is also quite vivid in symbolism. Biblically the serpent is taken as a symbolic representation of the literal Devil. To these abolitionists the Southern people were evil incarnate; they were beyond redemption, fit only to be bound and tossed into the pits of hell. The words call for something more than war. They speak of total war, of Armageddon. They call for no quarter and no mercy. The war between the Federal and Confederate factions is not a contest between nations, between two peoples, but between God and the very forces of evil. A number of Southerners have problems with this, coming from a region known as the Bible Belt. Some Christians might point to Matthew 7:1-2 and question whether, even in wartime, these are beliefs that a Christian is permitted: "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.".

"He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored." The vintage symbolizes the blood of the Southern people. The spilling of Southern blood is justified as God's judgment of this people. The loss of Northern blood also serves God's purpose: "He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat." The war is a test of a man's commitment to God. One might pose the logical set of questions: Is this the criteria that a minister would want to present in a message to his congregation? Can a man go to heaven through military service? Is this the criteria that a song leader would want to present to the congregation in song?

"As ye deal with My comtempters, so with you My grace shall deal". This verse suggest an alternate plan of salvation. Zealous service in this war is offered as a means of ensuring God's grace. A sort of "Plan B". If you don't get to heaven through Christ's blood, Southern blood can substitute. Is this the plan of salvation that your Church would condone in a sermon? Should it be condoned in song?

It's unimaginable that this particular song has gained such wide usage within churches, especially when sung in Southern churches. A church might want to have some type of patriotic theme on particular holidays, but it would seem that something might be preferred more in tune with traditional Christian beliefs. "God Bless America" is a good alternative.

During this month, people across the US celebrate Memorial Day. Song leaders in churches everywhere will be considering what music might be appropriate for the occasion. It would seem that they might wish to choose music which is not offensive to those with either Northern or Southern ancestry. More importantly, they might wish to choose something not offensive to Christians.

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Now, if you still like the music and the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, trying singing these words with it. I think you will like it even better.

Your compatriot and obedient servant,

Mac Watters
State Chairman
Florida League of the South

ARE YOU MAD ENOUGH YET? Join the League of the South today at www.dixienet.org and help Get the Feds, Carpet Baggers and Scalawags Out of Dixie!

Deo Vindice!

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Try singing these words to the Battle Hymn of the Republic!!

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the fires being lit, We are hearing more and more from Southerner's who won't submit; The truth is being told and America will split! The South Shall Rise Again!!!

Glory, glory Hallelujah Glory, glory Hallelujah, Glory, glory Hallelujah, The South Shall Rise Again!!

I have heard it in a rumor, I have heard it in the street, America has floundered and she'll soon know a defeat; For the Southerner has wakened and now knows of her deceit; The South Shall Rise Again!!

Glory, glory Hallelujah, Glory, glory Hallelujah, Glory, glory Hallelujah, The South Shall Rise Again!!

We are tired of being tromped on, we are tired of the decay, We are weary of the pandering and dislike the Yankee way; Our armies growing larger, full of butternut and gray, The South Shall Rise Again!!

Glory, glory Hallelujah, Glory, glory Hallelujah, Glory, glory Hallelujah, The South Shall Rise Again!!

Soon we'll see our flags a wavin' and ole Dixie will be sung; We will teach the Southern ways to old, the meek, the strong, the young; We will rid the South of nasal voice and spread the Southron tongue; The South Shall Rise Again!!

Glory, glory Hallelujah, Glory, glory Hallelujah, Glory, glory Hallelujah, The South Shall Rise Again!!

Can you hear the voice of freedom and it's not the Yankee bell? We are ready for departure and we bid you a farewell, While the Southland will be rising, we will watch you GO TO HELL, The South Is Rising Again!!

Glory, glory Hallelujah, Glory, glory Hallelujah, Glory, glory Hallelujah, THE SOUTH SHALL RISE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!
~ Linda Lee, Ocala, FL

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