Posted on 06/09/2004 5:01:58 PM PDT by Puppage
Here is a pretty good instrumental online.http://www2.acc.af.mil/music/patriotic/tunes/batthymn.mp3
It is powerful, but too laden with Christian religiosity to be a national anthem (if that was your suggestion, perhaps it was not).Further, I find the Star Spangled Banner to be as moving and powerful. But that's me.
I understand. I was at work and listening to the radio when they were transferring his casket and playing "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," and I lost it then and there and all the tears that were fighting to come out did.
So I share your sorrowful tears.
battle hyme ,always one of my favorite patriotic songs.
though california pipeline by murphys law would have been nice (if WAY out of place)
Thanks for posting this.... I felt exactly the same way.
To make myself smile, I've found that calling to mind the fact that today I have yet to see a Clinton, is working well. :)
Yeah and clintoon is upset about not being invited to speak at the funeral. Nancy probably said, not no, but hell no!!
Yes we find solace whereever we can find it.
The choir did an absolutely beautiful job. Thank you for posting the words.
The entire day was a wonderful tribute to President Reagan. I needed to see him honored in this way: with the precision and respect of the military, the slow procession of the caisson, the horseless rider with his riding boots, the 21-gun salute, the missing man formation, the hymns and patriotic music. I was especially touched by Vice President Cheney's words. Very heartfelt.
I am so proud of this country for taking the time to honor this great man.
May I recommend the version on the Gene Harris CD titled
"In his Hands" His daughter sings a version that will buckle you.
Indeed, a lot of this is non-PC. The third verse in particular, "I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel," is particularly offensive to those who do not appreciate that their freedom was payed for in blood.
It was not "the beauty in His bosom" that "transfigures you and me," but His Substitutionary Atonement on the Cross that offers people who come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior pardon for their sins and redemption. The Substitutionary Atonement is orthodox Christian belief, stated in the Bible and affirmed by the early church councils. The "transfiguration" caused by Jesus' beautiful bosom is at best nonsensical, if sonorous, rhetoric. "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" is in essence a political song, albeit one that has many Scriptural allusions.
I was was touched when I heard that song as well as when they will perform Amazing Grace. I believe Amazing Grace will be at the Library. I wasn't able to see all of the ceremony so I hope I didn't already miss that.
Thank you for posting this. You and others have made this a wonderful thread.
I have NO doubt that Reagan is "dancing with God" in heaven. He is and always will be an inspiration to us mere mortals.
Linking this to the founding fathers thread.
I love that line, too.
Another time I'll never forget it's power was at the Memorial at the National Cathedral after 9/11. It was magnificent.
At the time, I'm almost certain I recall the commentator saying that very line had been changed by the forces of political correctness several years ago. It was Laura Bush who insisted the original version be sung at the Memorial.
Does anyone else remember that?
I always tear up when I hear it, always.
I have wept and plane out boo-hooed since I heard he had left us. I loved this man as President.
He espoused everything I believed as a mother of two sons, that possibly might have to go and fight for our country.
I was so relieved when he won the Presidency.
Now we had a man, a real man! in that office!
I keep hearing the media say that the Vietnam war was hanging over us and we were in a depressed attitude, inflation was rampant, interest rates up to 20 something percent.
We had a mortage rate of 13% on our home, and I want to scream YES, YES, and YES, to that. The media may have forgotten, but I haven't.
The biggest reason was............ Jimmy Carter, he brought economic chaos on us, and happens to be the worst kind of DemocRAT....... Says he knows the Lord, then votes with the Devil.
The phrase "Misery Index", was coined because of his policys.
THIS was the reason we voted Ronald Reagan in by a landslide! Don't be fooled. This Country was ready to throw Jimmy Carter off the balcony of the White House! We were sick of him!
Ronald Reagan set the Conservative idea in motion, galvanized us and spoke our very heart. Said what he believed and then worked in that direction. And his thoughts were AMERICAN.
He was pro-Military, pro-family, pro-tax cutting, anti big government, anti-abortion, basically the same thing we on this sight believe. I campaigned for the Gipper and was broken hearted that he lost when he did.
Personally, I had been a conservative from the womb!
Ronald Reagan was speaking to me when he said those beautiful words, great communicator as he was.
Conservatives would have done anything to have gotten rid of Jimmy Carter.
He brought us to the point of tears! Everything he did, failed! People probably don't remember when he sent our Military to rescue the hostages, and for whatever reason they failed in that attempt. I don't remember if any did not come back. Then the world laughed at us!!! Our Military was so down and decimated. Morale was in the pits. God bless those men!
Jimmy Carter was against everything he was supposed to be for, as a professing Believer.
Sorry to carry on.......I've been so emotional because of this and would have loved to be there tonight!
God Bless our Military, God Bless America, God Bless George Bush and family, and God Bless Nancy Reagan and her family. May she have comfort knowing her life partner was loved by many, many, many people. Not only here in our Country, but across the world.
God used Ronald Reagan in a mighty way!
He was also full of joy! And spread it all around the world!
Praise to His Name....that Name to which every man shall bow! That Name is Christ Jesus.
I found the answer to my own question above.
The line had been changed to:
"As He died to make men holy, let us LIVE to make men free..."
Laura Bush had it changed back to the original at the 9/11 Memorial Service.
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