Introduction: “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe
“The Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe first appeared in 1862 in the Atlantic Monthly magazine. Written during the American Civil War, the poem reflects themes of divine justice, sacrifice, and moral resolve. Drawing from biblical imagery and spiritual fervor, it portrays God as an avenging figure who brings righteous judgment while urging believers to fight for freedom and justice. Lines like “As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free” resonated deeply with the Union’s cause, linking their fight against slavery to a sacred duty. Its popularity stemmed from its stirring melody (adapted from the earlier song “John Brown’s Body”), its unifying religious and patriotic undertones, and its ability to inspire hope and determination in a nation divided by war. Over time, the hymn has transcended its historical context to become an enduring anthem of liberty, faith, and perseverance.
Text: “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe
‘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.
‘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.
‘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.”
‘He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgment-seat:
O, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
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.
Annotations: “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe
| Line | Annotation |
| Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord: | The speaker envisions a divine revelation of God’s coming glory, using vivid imagery to show God’s presence and majesty. |
| He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; | A biblical allusion to Revelation 14:19-20, where God enacts justice upon the wicked, symbolized as the “grapes of wrath.” |
| He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword: | Describes God’s swift and decisive judgment, depicted through the metaphor of a “terrible swift sword.” |
| His truth is marching on. | Reiterates the unstoppable march of divine truth and justice. |
| I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps; | Suggests God’s presence among Union soldiers (watch-fires) during the Civil War, symbolizing divine guidance and support. |
| They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps; | Metaphorically suggests that the soldiers’ sacrifices are like building altars to honor God. |
| I can read his righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps: | The flickering light of campfires becomes symbolic of divine judgment being visible even in dark times. |
| His day is marching on. | Reaffirms the idea of God’s justice and unstoppable movement. |
| I have read a fiery gospel, writ in burnished rows of steel: | The “gospel” here symbolizes the righteousness of the soldiers’ cause, while “burnished rows of steel” refers to their weapons. |
| “As ye deal with my contemners, so with you my grace shall deal; | Implies divine reciprocity: how the enemy treats others will be returned through God’s justice. |
| Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel, | An allusion to Genesis 3:15, where the ‘Hero’ (Christ) will defeat evil, represented by the serpent. |
| Since God is marching on.” | Reaffirms the unwavering presence and movement of God. |
| He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; | References the biblical image of the trumpet sounding for judgment, symbolizing the call to action. |
| He is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgment-seat: | Describes God testing human hearts to determine their righteousness in the face of judgment. |
| O, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet! | Encourages the speaker’s soul and feet to answer God’s call with eagerness and joy. |
| Our God is marching on. | Reiterates the theme of divine justice and the inexorable march of God. |
| In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, | Refers to the humble and transformative birth of Christ, drawing a connection between Christ and freedom. |
| With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me: | The glory of Christ transforms humanity, offering hope and divine purpose. |
| As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, | Links Christ’s sacrifice for holiness to the Union soldiers’ fight for freedom during the Civil War. |
| While God is marching on. | Concludes with the repeated refrain, emphasizing the divine justice guiding the Union cause. |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe
| Literary Device | Example | Explanation |
| Alliteration | “He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword” | The repetition of the “s” sound in “swift sword” creates a rhythmic and musical quality. |
| Allusion | “He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;” | A biblical reference to Revelation 14:19, symbolizing divine judgment upon the wicked. |
| Anaphora | “Mine eyes have seen… He is… He hath… His truth…” | The repetition of phrases at the start of lines enhances rhythm and emphasizes the message. |
| Assonance | “In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea” | Repetition of the vowel sound “i” in “lilies Christ”. This creates a melodious effect. |
| Biblical Imagery | “Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel” | Refers to Genesis 3:15, where Christ (the Hero) defeats evil (the serpent). |
| Consonance | “He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;” | Repetition of the “r” and “t” sounds enhances rhythm and flow. |
| Enjambment | “I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps; They have builded Him an altar…” | The sentence flows from one line to the next without pause, maintaining the poem’s rhythm. |
| Epistrophe | “marching on” (repeated in several stanzas) | Repetition of the same word or phrase at the end of lines emphasizes the divine and unstoppable movement. |
| Hyperbole | “He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword;” | Exaggerates the power and swiftness of God’s judgment to emphasize its impact. |
| Imagery | “I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps;” | Descriptive language creates a vivid picture of soldiers around campfires, symbolizing God’s presence. |
| Metaphor | “He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;” | Compares God’s judgment to crushing grapes, symbolizing the destruction of wickedness. |
| Parallelism | “As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free” | Similar structure in both clauses emphasizes the link between Christ’s sacrifice and soldiers’ cause. |
| Personification | “His truth is marching on.” | Truth is given the human quality of marching, symbolizing its dynamic and unstoppable nature. |
| Refrain | “Glory, glory, hallelujah! His truth is marching on.” | The repeated refrain adds rhythm, reinforces the message, and inspires unity and resolve. |
| Rhyme | “Lord… stored… sword” | Creates rhyme in alternating lines, contributing to the poem’s musical quality. |
| Symbolism | “The trumpet that shall never call retreat;” | The trumpet symbolizes a divine call to action and unwavering moral resolve. |
| Synecdoche | “burnished rows of steel” | Represents soldiers’ rifles, using a part (steel) to signify the whole. |
| Tone | “O, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! Be jubilant, my feet!” | The tone is uplifting, urgent, and reverent, encouraging devotion and action. |
| Visual Imagery | “In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea” | Vividly describes a serene, beautiful scene to symbolize purity and Christ’s transformative power. |
| Zeugma | “As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free” | Links two ideas (holiness and freedom) using a single verb, emphasizing the connection between them. |
Themes: “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe
- Divine Justice and Judgment
The poem emphasizes the theme of divine justice and God’s inevitable judgment upon the wicked. Lines such as “He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored” draw a direct allusion to Revelation 14:19, where God’s wrath is likened to treading grapes in a winepress. God is depicted as a powerful force delivering righteous retribution, as seen in “He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword.” This portrays God as an avenger whose truth and justice march forward unrelentingly, ensuring the triumph of righteousness. - Moral Resolve and Sacrifice
The poem advocates for moral resolve and the willingness to sacrifice for a greater cause. Julia Ward Howe aligns the soldiers’ sacrifice with Christ’s sacrifice, as illustrated in the line: “As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free.” This parallel emphasizes the nobility of dying for freedom and justice, particularly during the Civil War, where the Union’s fight against slavery is depicted as a sacred duty. The call for action—“O, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! Be jubilant, my feet!”—encourages individuals to eagerly respond to the divine call for righteousness. - Faith and Divine Presence
Throughout the poem, the speaker affirms the constant presence of God in human struggles, particularly in war. God is seen in the soldiers’ actions and sacrifices: “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.” These lines highlight the belief that God guides and supports the Union soldiers in their fight for justice. The imagery of “His truth is marching on” reinforces the idea that God’s divine truth is ever-present and triumphant. - Freedom and Liberation
The theme of freedom is central to the poem, connecting the Union’s fight in the Civil War with the divine mission of liberation. The line “As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free” underscores the idea that true freedom, both spiritual and physical, is worth sacrificing for. This aligns the abolition of slavery with God’s will, presenting the Union cause as a righteous struggle for liberation. The repeated refrain—“Our God is marching on”—suggests that the fight for freedom is divinely sanctioned and unstoppable.
Literary Theories and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe
| Literary Theory | Explanation | References from the Poem |
| Historical Criticism | This theory examines the poem in the context of the American Civil War (1861–1865). The poem reflects the moral and religious justification of the Union’s fight against slavery. | The line “As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free” connects the Union cause with Christ’s sacrifice, showing the abolitionist spirit of the time. |
| Biblical/Religious Criticism | Focuses on the religious allusions and theological themes in the text. The poem is deeply rooted in Christian symbolism and biblical imagery, portraying God as a divine force of justice. | References such as “He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored” and “Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel” allude to Revelation and Genesis. |
| Patriotic/Nationalist Theory | Examines how literature promotes a sense of patriotism and collective identity during times of national crisis. The poem inspired Union soldiers and the broader American public by framing the Civil War as a holy mission. | The refrain “Our God is marching on” and imagery like “I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps” link patriotism with divine purpose, fostering unity and resolve. |
Critical Questions about “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe
- How does Julia Ward Howe use religious imagery to justify the Union cause?
Julia Ward Howe employs powerful religious imagery to present the Union cause as a divine mission for justice and freedom. Biblical allusions are woven throughout the poem, such as “He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored,” referencing God’s judgment in Revelation. God is depicted as an active force, “His truth is marching on,” aligning the Union’s fight against slavery with the fulfillment of divine will. By equating the soldiers’ sacrifice to Christ’s sacrifice—“As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free”—Howe legitimizes the war as both morally righteous and spiritually necessary. - What role does the refrain “Our God is marching on” play in the poem?
The refrain “Our God is marching on” serves as a unifying and inspirational element throughout the poem. It reinforces the central idea that God is on the side of justice and righteousness, symbolizing His unstoppable presence and support for the Union soldiers. Repeated at the end of each stanza, it provides a rhythmic and emphatic conclusion that drives home the inevitability of divine victory. The refrain’s march-like cadence mirrors the movement of soldiers and evokes a sense of collective purpose and hope, encouraging listeners to persevere in their struggle for freedom and justice. - How does the poem connect the themes of sacrifice and freedom?
The themes of sacrifice and freedom are intricately connected in the poem, particularly in the line: “As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free.” Here, Julia Ward Howe draws a parallel between Christ’s sacrifice for humanity’s spiritual redemption and the Union soldiers’ sacrifice for the liberation of enslaved people. By doing so, Howe elevates the Civil War to a moral and religious plane, framing the fight against slavery as a holy obligation. This connection underscores the idea that true freedom often requires immense sacrifice, a message meant to inspire dedication to the Union’s cause. - How does the poem balance themes of war and hope?
While the poem vividly describes the harsh realities of divine judgment and war, it simultaneously conveys a strong sense of hope. For instance, imagery like “burnished rows of steel” symbolizes the weapons of soldiers, emphasizing the violence of the conflict. However, the poem balances this with uplifting visions of divine justice, as in “In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea.” This serene image of Christ’s birth contrasts the warlike imagery, suggesting that through the struggle, peace and redemption can ultimately be achieved. The hopeful refrain “Glory, glory, hallelujah!” further reassures the audience of victory and divine support, giving the poem its enduring inspirational power.
Literary Works Similar to “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe
- “A Psalm of Life” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Like Howe’s poem, Longfellow’s work is inspirational and encourages moral resolve and action, emphasizing the importance of living a purposeful life. - “O Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman
Both poems respond to events of the Civil War era, using patriotic and mournful tones to honor sacrifices and reflect on leadership and justice. - “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key
This poem shares patriotic themes, celebrating national resilience and divine guidance in the face of conflict, much like Howe’s depiction of God’s role in the Union’s fight. - “Concord Hymn” by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emerson’s poem commemorates a revolutionary struggle, similar to Howe’s themes of sacrifice and the fight for freedom through a lens of divine and moral duty. - “If We Must Die” by Claude McKay
Though written in a different historical context, McKay’s poem mirrors Howe’s call to fight courageously and purposefully against oppression for justice and freedom.
Representative Quotations of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe
| Quotation | Context | Theoretical Perspective |
| “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord” | The speaker envisions divine intervention and God’s triumphant arrival. | Religious Criticism: Highlights the role of divine justice and providence. |
| “He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored” | Alludes to God’s judgment in Revelation, where the wicked face retribution. | Historical Criticism: Reflects Civil War justice; Biblical Criticism connects it to apocalyptic imagery. |
| “His truth is marching on.” | Reiterates that God’s justice and truth are unstoppable and eternal. | Patriotic/Nationalist Theory: Frames the Union cause as divinely sanctioned. |
| “I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps” | Describes God’s presence among soldiers in their camps during wartime. | Theological Lens: God as a guiding force in human struggles. |
| “They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps” | Soldiers’ sacrifices are likened to building altars of worship and honor. | Symbolism: Represents moral resolve; Historical Criticism: Sacrifice in war. |
| “As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free” | Connects Christ’s sacrifice with the soldiers’ fight for freedom and justice. | Moral Criticism: Emphasizes righteousness and sacrifice for liberation. |
| “He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword” | Depicts God’s swift judgment on those who commit evil and injustice. | Biblical Criticism: Alludes to divine retribution; Symbolism: God’s power as a sword. |
| “He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat” | The trumpet symbolizes a divine and unrelenting call to action. | Religious/Patriotic Theory: Urges persistence in the fight for justice. |
| “In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea” | Evokes a peaceful and divine image of Christ’s transformative birth. | Religious Symbolism: Christ as a symbol of purity and salvation. |
| “Glory, glory, hallelujah!” | The recurring refrain celebrates divine glory and victory. | Refrain Analysis: Creates unity and rhythm; Theological Criticism reinforces triumph in faith. |
Suggested Readings: “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe
- HOWE, JULIA WARD. “THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC.” The Journal of Education, vol. 86, no. 17 (2153), 1917, pp. 453–453. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/42829155. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
- Snyder, Edward D. “The Biblical Background of the ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic.'” The New England Quarterly, vol. 24, no. 2, 1951, pp. 231–38. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/361364. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
- McCabe, Tracy. “Avenging Angel: Tragedy and Womanhood in Julia Ward Howe’s The World’s Own.” Legacy, vol. 12, no. 2, 1995, pp. 98–111. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25679165. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.
- McCabe, Tracy. “Avenging Angel: Tragedy and Womanhood in Julia Ward Howe’s The World’s Own.” Legacy, vol. 12, no. 2, 1995, pp. 98–111. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25679165. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.