Battle Hymn of the Republic
Louis Armstrong & Danny Kaye Lyrics
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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
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
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 by the dim and flaring lamps
His day is marching on
I have read His fiery gospel writ in rows of burnished 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
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
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
The song "Battle Hymn of the Republic" is a patriotic hymn that references the Civil War and the Second Coming of Christ. The opening verse "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord" describes the singer's anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ. The second verse then makes a reference to the Civil War and the image of Jesus trampling grapes in a vineyard, a metaphor for the destruction and bloodshed of the war. The sword mentioned in "He hath loosed the fateful lighting of His terrible swift sword" represents God's punishment of the wicked.
The chorus of the song, "Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!" is a joyful exclamation that reinforces the idea that God's truth is marching on. The third verse describes how the singer has seen God worshiped in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps, emphasizing the widespread belief and devotion to God during the war. The fourth verse mentions God's divine judgment and the punishment of the wicked, as well as the idea that the hero born of woman (a biblical reference to Jesus) will defeat evil.
Line by Line Meaning
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
I have witnessed the magnificent sight of the Lord's arrival
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored
He is destroying the sources of wickedness and corruption
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword
He has unleashed the destructive power of His divine judgment
His truth is marching on
His teachings and principles continue to guide and inspire us
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Praise and exaltation to the Lord!
I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps
I have seen His presence and influence in many different places
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps
They have erected a place of worship for Him, despite the hardships
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps
I can discern His just verdict even in difficult circumstances
His day is marching on
His message and purpose are still advancing
I have read His fiery gospel writ in rows of burnished steel!
I have observed His powerful teachings engraved in metal
As ye deal with my contemners, so with you My grace shall deal!
As you treat those who oppose you, so shall the Lord's mercy be given to you
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel
May the Son of Man defeat evil and its minions
Since God is marching on
Because the Lord's cause and plan are still in motion
He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat
He has signaled the start of an eternal and unwavering advance
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat
He is examining the innermost intentions of every person
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him, be jubilant, my feet!
Hurry to respond to Him, with a spirit of joy and triumph!
Our God is marching on
Our Lord and Creator is moving forward, leading and guiding us
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea
Jesus was born in a lovely setting, far away from here
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me
With a divine essence and power that transforms us
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free!
Just as He sacrificed Himself to sanctify humanity, let us give ourselves to liberate others!
While God is marching on
As long as the Lord's purpose is being accomplished
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ATKINS, TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jacktattis
These instruments have gone now I used to dance to these back in the 60s
@renard801
Despite his age, the great Loring 'Red' Nichols actually played his music parts in The Five Pennies movie, which was loosely based on his life story. Danny Kaye mimed to Red's playing.
@tiziana649
I grew up listening this LP so many times that at the end the noise was more then the music played by it but I had all of those songs well printed in my mind and I was able to sing all of them anyway. Of course it was a very broken Maccaroni English but they came from my soul and it was and remain the most brilliant music I ever heard.
@adamjbroit
ME too. Was one of the first 45's I ever had (as a 5 year old in 1965)..A side was 5 Penny Saints.
@jimswonger8111
My fathers favorite record was with Red Nichols playing The Battle Hymn on both sides, side A was going to a funeral, New Orleans style, and side B was coming back from the funeral. It was great.
@jacktattis
Wow I have never heard of that.
@helenemontreuil3417
Le duo Louis Armstrong et Danny Kaye est extraordinaire; nul autre duo ne donne une aussi bonne performance.
@Christofer1861
I first saw this when the movie was released. I was 9, and never forgot it.
@Christofer1861
I should add (after all these years) that my father took me to see this movie. He was a troubled man, who found it hard to show he loved me. Taking me to see movies like this was one way that was easier for him. (And he began teaching me how to play the trumpet the year after this movie came out.)
@user-xe3ow8bb2y
若い時にこの映画を5回見ました。この映画を観て感動したのが覚えています。