Brookes Prompt 3: Spiritual

In 1861, during the Civil War, Union soldiers were singing a version of the old Methodist hymn “Say Brothers, Will You Meet Us,” which then was changed into “John Brown’s Body” to refer to abolitionist John Brown, who unsuccessfully tried to start a slave rebellion. Poet Julia Ward Howe heard the song and was inspired to write new lyrics with the encouragement from her pastor. The next morning, she quickly scribbled verses down, filled with biblical imagery and kept the chorus of, “Say Brothers, Will You Meet Us,” which was “Glory Glory Hallelujah!” Thus, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” was born, which is more known today as “Glory Glory Hallelujah!” I chose this Spiritual mainly because I personally enjoy listening to, and love singing this song in church. Now that I know more about the background and history of this song, I can see that it resonates deeper along the lines with movements for freedom and equality that I did not understand before.

Here is a performance of this song at the Washington National Cathedral in memory of the thousands lost on 9/11:

Here is another more modern performance that I enjoyed listening too as well:

Article used for Spiritual history: article