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Battle Hymn of the Republic

Battle Hymn of the Republic 

1 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.

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

2 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 the righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on. [Refrain]

3 He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of all before His judgment seat;
O be swift, my soul, to answer Him; be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on. [Refrain]

4 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 us holy, let us die that all be free!
While God is marching on. [Refrain]

Today we sang this hymn in church. It is stirring and moving. The lyrics are filled with meaning. It is a great work of art. As such; the meaning and even value of this hymn is hotly debated. Some even call for the hymn to be banned from public singing!?!? Some say it incites violence. And encourages people to think of war as a battle of good vs evil.

I think we need to get our head on straight. This hymn was written in relation to the Civil War. From the Northern side and the Abolitionist prospective. We need to see that as the side of good. The Civil War was horrible, but it had to be fought to hold the United States together and put an end to the inhumane practice of slavery. It was a tragic price to pay but it made our country and the world a better place.

We need to learn to discern good from evil. We need to pray and study GOD'S word so we can know what God's will is. And, we need to strive to be on God's side. Otherwise our world will become a place no one wants to live in.
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