In the late '60s and early '70s, Baez came into her songwriting own, penning many songs (most notably "Diamonds & Rust," a nostalgic piece about her ill-fated romance with Bob Dylan, and "Sweet Sir Galahad," a song about sister Mimi Fariña's ( of Richard & Mimi Fariña fame) second marriage, and continued to meld her songcraft with topical issues. She was outspoken in her disapproval of the Vietnam war and later the CIA-backed coups in many Latin American countries.
She was also instrumental in the Civil Rights movement, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King on many occassions and being jailed for her beliefs. In 1963, her performance of "We Shall Overcome" at the Lincoln Memorial just prior to Dr. King's famous "I Have A Dream..." speech helped confirm the song as the Civil Rights anthem.
In December 1972, she traveled to Hanoi, North Vietnam, and was caught in that country's "Christmas Campaign," in which the U.S. bombed the city more times than any other during the entire war. While pregnant with her only son, Gabriel, she performed a handful of songs in the middle of the night on day one of the 1969 Woodstock festival. She is considered the "Queen of Folk" for being at the forefront of the 1960s folk revival and inspiring generations of female folksingers that followed. Over fifty years after she first began singing publicly in 1958, Joan Baez continues to tour, demonstrate in favor of human rights and nonviolence, and release albums for a world of devoted fans.
1959
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Joan Baez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored
He has lost the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on
[Chorus]
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
His truth is marching on
[Chorus]
The Battle Hymn of the Republic is a song that was written by Julia Ward Howe, set to the musical tune of John Brown's Body. The song was initially intended as a poem, written in November 1861 and was first published in The Atlantic Monthly in February 1862. The lyrics acknowledge the coming of the Lord during war, depicting an image of the Lord striking down His enemies and freeing His people. The song's lyrics use powerful imagery, poetic language and biblical references that reference people and events from the Civil War Era.
The first verse describes seeing the glory of the Lord coming during war from the perspective of the singer, "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord." This is followed by the description of the Lord trampling out the winepress of wrath and is a biblical reference from the Revelation of John. The Lord's actions are described as having lost the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword, symbolizing that the Lord does not have to use force to win a battle. The chorus of the song praises the Lord's truth and how it is marching on.
The second verse of the song explains how Christ's offerings towards the world bring him glory as well. Christ is described as being born across the sea in the beauty of the lilies. The chorus is then repeated.
Line by Line Meaning
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
I have witnessed the magnificent arrival of God
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored
He is eradicating anything that is causing people to suffer
He has lost the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword
He has put aside his anger and is showing us his mercy
His truth is marching on
God's teachings are still relevant and being followed
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah,
All hail God
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea
Jesus was born in a serene place
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me
Jesus sacrificed for our sins so that we could be transformed
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free
Just as Jesus gave up his life, we need to do what it takes to ensure the freedom of others
His truth is marching on
God's teachings are still relevant and being followed
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah,
All hail God
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah,
All hail God
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah,
All hail God
His truth is marching on
God's teachings are still relevant and being followed
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JIMMY CARROLL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jim B
Wow! Joan Baez didn't change the lyrics to the PC version! She sang it correctly:
As He died to make men holy, let us DIE to make men free
Not the new more often heard:
As He died to make men holy, let us live to make men free
What's the difference? Everything. That one word changes a lot. What the Civil War was about. Men from the North dying to end slavery.
Edwin Mintey
There are other stanzas seldom sung:
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 His righteous sentence in the dim and flaring lamps:
His day is marching on.
(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His day is marching on.
I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal";
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel,
Since God is marching on.
(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Since God is marching on.
He has sounded forth 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.
Kevin O'shea
This LADY sings with passion and belief. A true super star of her era and an artist I could listen to every day.
Quality is eternal. Her voice amazing. Her rendition of this hymn second to none..
Dwayne Coy
This hymn touched millions of people around the world. It was also a favorite of Winston Churchill. In fact, he held it in such high regard that he had included as his casket was brought into his state funeral at St. Paul's Cathedral in Jan 1965.
S. Smith
Just hearing her voice brings tears to my eyes. Her folk songs are so haunting...all of her stuff is so full of emotion. Joni Mitchell is my favorite singer, but no one can beat Baez voice..like pinging a crystal
Kevin O'shea
Who could not be affected by this momunental rendition of such a wonderful song. What a voice. Everything Joan sings is performed so beautifully. She has a haunting and melodic voice that has been a joy to listen to over the years.
Donald Hague
This voice has sang to me for over 40 years. Saw her once in concert in 1965 best mony I ver spent
Emiel Dibbets
me too
Tim Okunade
A year before I was born
mandragorra
Been looking for a lot of versions of this truly remarkable song. God bless you for posting this. Thank you.
Luiz Carlos Cordioli
Que interpretação magnífica de Joan Baez.
James Taylor
The golden voice of the world as every song she sings has messages worthy of great respect.