Howe wrote this hymn in 1861 as a set of alternative lyrics to the popular marching song "John Brown's Body". It was first published in The Atlantic Monthly on 1 February 1862 with the sixth verse left off. Outside the U.S. it is also called Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory.
Like "John Brown's Body", the Battle Hymn is sung to the tune originally used for "Say, Brothers, Will You Meet Us", a camp song attributed to William Steffe.
| Battle Hymn of the Republic, sung by Frank C. Stanley and Elise Stevenson in 1908 for Edison Records. (help | file info or download) |
This work was published before January 1, 1928, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
