He first performed in a children's choir at his local Presbyterian church. Williams and his three older brothers Bob, Dick, and Don, formed a quartet, the Williams Brothers, in the late 1930s. The brothers performed on radio in the Midwest, first at WHO in Des Moines, Iowa, and later at WLS in Chicago and WLW in Cincinnati. Williams graduated from Western Hills High School in Cincinnati. They appeared with Bing Crosby on the hit record "Swinging on a Star" (1944). This led to a nightclub act with entertainer Kay Thompson from 1947 to 1951.
Williams's solo career began in 1952 after his brothers left the act. He recorded six sides for RCA's label "X," but none of them were popular hits. After landing a spot as a regular on Steve Allen's Tonight Show in 1955, he was signed to a recording contract with Cadence Records, a small label in New York run by conductor Archie Bleyer. His third single, "Canadian Sunset" (1956) hit the Top Ten, and was soon followed his only Billboard #1 hit, "Butterfly" (a cover of a Charlie Gracie record on which Williams imitated Elvis Presley). More hits followed, including "The Hawaiian Wedding Song," "Are You Sincere," "The Village of St. Bernadette," and "Lonely Street," before Williams moved to Columbia Records in 1961, having moved from New York to Los Angeles. In terms of chart popularity, the Cadence era was Williams's peak although songs he introduced on Columbia became much bigger standards. Two top ten hits from the Cadence era, "Butterfly" and "I Like Your Kind of Love" were apparently believed to not suit Williams's later style; they were not included on a Columbia reissue of his Cadence greatest hits in the 1960s.
During the 1960s, Williams became one of the most popular vocalists in the country and signed what was to that time the biggest recording contract in history. He was primarily an album artist, and at one time he had earned more gold albums than any solo performer except Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. By 1973 he had earned as many as 17 gold album awards. Among his hit albums from this period were Moon River, Days of Wine and Roses (number one for 16 weeks in mid-1963), The Andy Williams Christmas Album, Dear Heart, The Shadow of Your Smile, Love, Andy, Get Together with Andy Williams, and Love Story. In these recordings Williams displays an incredible vocal technique along with an uncanny ability to make each song his very own, often rivaling or surpassing the version by the original artist. These attributes, along with his natural affinity for the music of the 1960s and early 1970s, combined to make him one of the premier easy listening singers of that era.
Williams forged an indirect collaborative relationship with Henry Mancini, although they never recorded together. Williams was asked to sing Mancini and Johnny Mercer's song "Moon River" at the 1962 Oscar Awards (where it won), and it quickly became Williams's theme song. This was repeated the next year with the pair's "Days of Wine and Roses" (which also won), Mancini's "Dear Heart" at the 1965 awards and "The Sweetheart Tree" (also written with Mercer) at the 1966 awards.
Williams also competed in the teenage-oriented singles market as well and had several charting hits including "Can't Get Used to Losing You," "Happy Heart," and "Where Do I Begin", the theme song from the 1970 blockbuster film, Love Story. Building on his experience with Allen and some short-term variety shows in the 1950s, he became the star of his own weekly television variety show in 1962. This series, The Andy Williams Show, won three Emmy Awards for outstanding variety program. Among his series regulars were the Osmond Brothers. He gave up the variety show in 1971 while it was still popular and retrenched to three specials per year. His Christmas specials, which appeared regularly until 1974 and intermittently from 1982 into the 1990s, were among the most popular of the genre. Williams has recorded eight Christmas albums over the years. He hosted the Grammy Awards for three consecutive years in the 1970s. He returned to television to do a syndicated half-hour series in 1976-77.
In the early 1990s, Williams gave up most of his touring schedule in order to open his own theatre in Branson, Missouri, the Andy Williams Moon River Theater. He continues to do 8 to 12 shows a week from September to December and occasionally makes tours of Europe earlier in the year.
His 1967 recording of "Music to Watch Girls By" was a surprise UK hit in 1999, when it reached number 9 after featuring in an advert (beating the original peak of number 33 in 1967). In 2002 he took part in a new duet of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" with British actress and singer Denise van Outen. Nearly everything Williams ever recorded has now been made available on CD through a series of compilations from 1997 to 2004.
Williams met Claudine Longet when he pulled over to aid her on a Las Vegas road. She was a dancer at the time at the Folies Bergere. They married on Christmas Day, 1961, and had three children, Noelle, Christian, and Robert. They separated in 1969 and finally divorced 6 years later. In 1976 Longet was charged with fatally shooting her boyfriend, skier Vladimir "Spider" Sabich and Williams supported her. He married a second time in May 1991 to the former Debbie Haas. They make their homes at Branson, Missouri and La Quinta, California. Williams' homes have been featured in Architectural Digest, and he is a noted collector of modern art. Williams is an avid golfer. He hosted a major golf tournament in San Diego for many years, which was known as the Andy Williams San Diego Open during that time.
Williams' birthplace is a tourist attraction open most of the year.
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Andy Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
He has sounded form the trumpet that shall never call retreat
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him, be jubilant, my feet!
Our God 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
While God is marching on
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on
Amen
The Battle Hymn of the Republic is a powerful song that tells of the coming of the Lord and His ultimate victory over oppression and injustice. The first verse describes the Lord as coming to judge and punish those who have stored up wrath by trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored. The fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword is a symbol of the impending divine judgment that will bring about His victory over evil. This is emphasized in the chorus when the singer proclaims "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah," celebrating the Lord's triumph and the triumph of His truth that marches on.
The second verse continues with the idea of judgment, as the Lord sounds the trumpet that will never call retreat. He is sifting out the hearts of men, separating the righteous from the wicked, and the singer encourages his soul to answer quickly and with jubilation, as the Lord's victory is certain. The chorus repeats again, emphasizing the glorious nature of the Lord's triumph.
The third verse shifts focus back to Christ, who was born in the beauty of the lilies across the sea. His death and resurrection transfigured those who believe in Him, and the singer encourages all to die to make others free and holy, just as Christ did. The final chorus repeats the well-known refrain of "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah," celebrating the Lord's victory and the truth that marches on.
Overall, the Battle Hymn of the Republic is a patriotic and religious hymn that celebrates the victory of God over evil and the triumph of His truth. It has been used for various causes and movements throughout history, but at its core, it is a song of hope in the midst of struggle and oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
I have witnessed the majestic return of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored
He is punishing those who have sinned and will face His divine wrath
He has loosed the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword
He has released His powerful vengeance upon the sinners
His truth is marching on
The everlasting truth of His glory continues to prevail
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!
Praise the Lord, with all glory and jubilation!
He has sounded form the trumpet that shall never call retreat
He has initiated an unyielding battle that will never cease
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat
He is evaluating the true character of humanity before His divine judgment
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him, be jubilant, my feet!
Be quick to answer to the Lord and rejoice in His divine presence
Our God is marching on
The strength of our God is persevering and cannot be defeated
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea
The birth of Christ was a symbol of beauty and hope for all, even across the seas
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me
Christ's divine glory illuminates and transforms everyone who believes in Him
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free
Just as Christ sacrificed Himself to grant us salvation, we should also be willing to sacrifice ourselves to bring freedom to others
While God is marching on
As the power of God prevails, we must continue to follow His path
Amen
So be it
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MATT TODD NAYLOR, STEVEN M. STERN, CRISTI VAUGHAN, JULIA WARD HOWE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Brickkicker55
Andy Williams was a dear friend of Robert Kennedy, and I was always in awe of how he sang this without choking up.😪
@kenvarnold3659
Great song by an icon...for an icon...in my 20's when I heard about Bobby...broke my heart...
@marietteseijsener4091
Andy Williams at the funeral of Robert Kennedy 1968. It was my first record of Andy Williams as i was 10 years old. He touched me and he still does❤
@patriciarobison974
No one can sing this as Mr. Williams did. Everytime I play this it gives me chills.
@azramandzuka7756
Absolutely beautiful - I get goose bumps every time I hear this. I was only two years at the time of MLK's and RFK's assassinations, yet I can't help but think how this country would be now had they lived. If only . . .
@briandelaney9710
My sister loved Bobby Kennedy. Whenever they played the Battle Hymn of the Republic , she would break down
@laurenhutton596
Wish “Battle Hymn” was our National Anthem. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@jerseytomato100
Agreed. I'm not a fan of Star Spangled Banner
@teresaglover3615
A battle song that glorifies war should be a National anthem? Seriously? How about America the Beautiful?
@i.marr.6688
It would be a great national Anthem its such a beautiful song