Dundee. "LE BLOG DE CHIEF DUNDEE: THE BLUE AND THE GRAY Suite - Bruce Broughton." LE BLOG DE CHIEF DUNDEE: THE BLUE AND THE GRAY Suite - Bruce Broughton. Blogger, 8 Dec. 2008. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.
Interpretation
The national hymn, Battle Hymn of the Republic, was first conceived in 1862 during the American Civil War by Julia Ward Howe. She was inspired by the marching song, "John Brown's Body," a song about the hanging of a man who helped to free slaves. When she heard the song, she decided that she could make a better version with better lyrics, and she did compose a new hymn and did so in a very quick manner almost as if it came naturally to her. This version was proclaimed a national hymn shortly after with even grown men tearing at its patriotism. It is clear that this song is religiously affiliated to Christianity, for it makes several references to the "Lord" and was written during a very nonsecular time period in American history. This song accurately portrays the confidence in the soldiers by including the verse, "His truth is marching on," which indicates that the Lord's truth, that their mission to win the war was morally right and within those soldiers. The second stanza exemplifies the conditions of the Civil War where there were hundreds of "circling camps" where many turned to religion for help in the war; in fact, every single stanza is heavily influenced by religion and help to further describe the song through descriptions of burnished steel and marches. This hymn helps to elucidate the Civil War time period and pays sufficient homage to the soldiers that have participated in it.
Jesus. "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Battle Hymn of the Republic: The Story Behind the Song. The Christian Broadcasting Network, n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.
Renditions"(HQ) Best Version of "Battle Hymn of the Republic" EVER! Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics." YouTube. YouTube, 05 Feb. 2010. Web. 15 Oct. 2013.
This rendition is very unlike others that have been done because of its very hymnal sounds. Its unique qualities are instantly shown from the beginning where a snare drum solo is truncated and instead combined with the trumpets. The vocals of this rendition are especially appropriate for its style because instead of just men, there are both men and women singing, thus providing a large range of octaves. There was an extremely broad range in the instruments used, as well as a markedly large quantity. There seemed to be a cohesive combination of strings and brass, which helped to provide the light, yet march-like, tone that the performance offered. Unlike other renditions where the percussion was minimalist, in that a large variety wasn't heard, this rendition seemed to showcase many different percussion instruments, thereby introducing more tones into an already very tonal rendition. The end of the piece was most memorable because instead of being somewhat serious, it was a very theatrical crescendo to truly end the song in an appropriate "halt," like a soldier.
"Watch The Battle Hymn of the Republic Performed by the U.S. Army Chorus."YouTube. YouTube, 25 Apr. 2013. Web. 15 Oct. 2013.
This obviously militaristic rendition of the this song truly delivers the song the way it was meant to be played. This performance excelled in its vocal ability, which provided a very manly and spirited addition to the instruments. The instruments weren't explicitly stated, but it was clear that there was an element of strings-- something we don't have in our own band-- that provided a lighter sound at times when the vocals were more quiet. The change in tone of the vocals exemplified the chorus's impeccable range in octaves but also abetted in the portrayal of the emotion that is rooted in the song's lyrics. Aside from their vocal ability, the lucid crispness of notes upheld the militaristic feel of the song and emphasized the rigidity in their playing style. One memorable moment from the song was when the instrumental element was cut out, and the only sound was the chorus. This gave extra meaning to the lyrics of the song at that point and ultimately was a major factor in this rendition's success.
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LyricsMine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
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. (Chorus) Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on. 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. (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. (Chorus) Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! 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. (Chorus) Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! While God is marching on. 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. "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Dec. 2013. Web. 15 Oct. 2013.
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