by Julia Ward Howe (1819 - 1910)
The Hymn
Language: English
My country tis of thee, you’ve not been good to me, Laid down my life for you, ever been tried and true, Freedom you have each day has not been passed my way, But, we’ll march on ‘til victory is won! Marchin’ on. Mine 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. Glory, glory hallelujah, His truth is marching on. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who has brought us thus far on the way, Thou who hast by thy might let us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Glory, glory hallelujah, His truth is marching on. In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in the bosom that transfigures you and me; As he died to make men holy, we’ll live that all be free! While God is marching on. On the battlefield for my Lord with truth and sword. Marching for truth and liberty in one accord. Glory, glory hallelujah, His truth is marching, Truth is marching on. We are on the battlefield, we are marching everyday. We fight on in one accord with shield and sword, shield and sword. We stand strong in unity as we march on to victory in the service of the Lord. Let’s live in harmony, unity, liberty and freedom for all, Harmony, unity, liberty and freedom for all mankind!
Text Authorship:
- by Julia Ward Howe (1819 - 1910) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Stacey V. Gibbs , "The Hymn" [ chorus and snare drum ] [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this page: Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2025-10-01
Line count: 31
Word count: 266