The Battle Hymn of the Republic
The history and legacy of Julia Ward Howe's civil war composition.
Much the same as other early patriotic anthems of the United States, the Battle Hymn of the Republic has an interesting history. At this time in American history the country had no official national hymn. Early in the civil war a group of highly respected Union gentlemen proposed a contest to write one. The mammoth five hundred dollar prize drew over a thousand entrants, none of which was selected. In 1862, in an effort unrelated to the Union contest, Julia Ward Howe took it upon herself to write a new set of lyrics to the traditional marching song known as "John Brown's Body." Howe took the melody from John Browns Body and wrote a new, stronger set of lyrics, with an obvious reference to the North's battle against slavery in the words, "let us die to make men free."
Shortly after penning the new words Howe's lyrics were published in a 1862 edition of The Atlantic Monthly. After its publication the Battle Hymn Of The Republic grew in popularity and spread throughout both the north and the south due mostly to the efforts of a Union chaplain named Charles Cardwell McCabe. In the south, the Battle Hymn evolved into a heroic hymn becoming synonymous with the northern war effort to free the slaves often being sung by imprisoned Union soldiers.
Other Interesting Facts About The Battle Hymn Of The Republic:
- For her services as lyricist, Julia Ward Howe was rewarded with the sum of only five dollars. A far cry from the $500 contest prize offered several years earlier.
- While The Battle Hymn of the Republic is titled as a hymn, it is in fact a tune intended to rouse the listener to war. Howe herself was a Unitarian, and while she used Christian symbolism in the lyrics it is believed by some that this was not out of respect to the religion.
- Contrary to popular belief, The Battle Hymn of the Republic is not the national hymn of the United States of America.
- The lyrics to Battle Hymn are widely available on the Internet. Printed parts for Battle Hymn of the Republic for voice or various instruments are available for download.
- The song was a prominent source of inspiration for civil rights martyr Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The words of the song are included in several of his public speeches.
- Battle Hymn is often considered to be the unofficial song of the Republican Party of the United States. Although not officially recognized, the song is played in some form at most major party events.
