It is an American patriotic song that was written by abolitionist writer Julia Ward Howe during the American Civil War.   Howe adapted her song from the soldiers’ song “John Brown’s Body” in November 1861, and first published it in The Atlantic Monthly in February 1862. In contrast to the lyrics of the soldiers’ song, her version links the Union cause with God’s vengeance at the Day of Judgment.

The final verse is the one we know so well:

He is coming like the glory of the morning on the wave,
He is Wisdom to the mighty, He is Succour to the brave,
So the world shall be His footstool, and the soul of Time His slave,
Our God is marching on.

(Chorus)
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on!

American most patriotic song has been performed over the decades in many auspicious occasions:

• In 1953, Marian Anderson sang the song before a television audience of 60 million persons, broadcast live over the NBC and CBS networks.
• In 1960 the Mormon Tabernacle Choir won the Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Vocal Group or Chorus.
• Judy Garland performed this song on her weekly television show in December 1963.
• Andy Williams experienced commercial success in 1968 with an a cappella version recorded at Senator Robert Kennedy’s funeral.
• Anita Bryant performed it January 17, 1971, at the halftime show of Super Bowl V.
• Elvis Presley, included it as a showstopper in his concerts. Presley recorded and issued “An American Trilogy” several times.
• It was performed at the funeral of general and President Dwight Eisenhower.
• It was performed in St. Paul’s Cathedral on September 14, 2001, as part of a memorial service for those lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks.

In a moving response to the September 11 attacks in 2001, The Voices of Classic Rock released a stirring rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” a rendition that quickly became their best-selling title, resonating deeply with listeners. 

The Voices of Classic Rock is a distinguished ensemble of renowned singers and musicians from iconic classic rock groups of the 1970s and 1980s.

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