Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Do you want to enjoy the bold song Battle Hymn of the Republic? In this article, you’ll get three essentials: 1) a video of the song, 2) the complete words to the song, and 3) free easy-to-read lead sheet style sheet music using shape notes, including a sing along soundtrack. Keep reading to learn more.
This post uses musical terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the article.
Do You Need the Words for the Song “Battle Hymn of the Republic?”
The words to this version of the abolitionist song Battle Hymn of the Republic come from an 1898 sheet music arrangement:
Verse 1:
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He’s trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored:
He’s loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on!
Refrain:
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on!
Verse 2:
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!
Refrain:
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on!
Verse 3:
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!
Refrain:
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on!
Verse 4:
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!
Refrain:
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on!
Verse 5:
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!
Refrain:
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Our God is marching on!
Video: Battle Hymn of the Republic
The Free Lead Sheet Version of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” Using Easy-to-Read Shape Note Sheet Music
Do you need to know how to read shape notes? These articles will get you up to speed:
- Shape Note Sight Singing Success
- Singing with the Kodaly Rhythmic Syllables
- Singing Sixteenth Note Rhythmic Syllables
The chords above the solfege syllables turn the shape note sheet music into a lead sheet format.
Mobile users: for best results reading the music, rotate your screen 90o to the right.
Lead Sheet Soundtrack:
The soundtrack uses synthetic voices rather than actual voices. Research has shown that this will help with the ability to identify and produce absolute pitch information. For more information:
Final Thoughts on “Enjoy the Bold Song: Battle Hymn of the Republic”
This article has three ways to interact with the song:
- You can learn all the words from Battle Hymn of the Republic.
- You can sing along with the song video.
- In addition, you can try the free easy-to-read shape note sheet music lead sheet.
Have fun singing!
Related Posts
- Enjoy the Elegant Hymn Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
- Celebrate Christmas with O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
- Enjoy the Heavenly Hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus
© 2025 Geoffrey Keith
Glossary
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How Do I Switch from Singing Shaped Notes to Standard Notation – Part 1
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