Mine eyes have seen the gloryFunny story: I sang the Battle Hymn, gospel-style, at my high school class reunion a couple of years ago. I was almost booed off of the stage....
Of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage
Where the grapes of wrath are stored
He has loosed the fateful lightening
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 burnish'd rows of steel
As ye deal with my condemners
So with you my grace shall deal
Let the hero, born of woman
Crush the serpent with his heel
Since God is marching on
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Our 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
Oh, be swift, my soul
To answer him be jubilant, my feet
Our God is marching on
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
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 live to make men free
While God is marching on
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Our God is marching on
Notwithstanding that my other two songs of the evening, covers of Patty Cline's "Crazy," and Bonnie Raitt's "Runaway," were very well received.
Go figure.
I strongly doubt I will ever attend a high school class reunion ever again. This entire experience has left such a bad taste in my mouth....
Music is what “feelings” sound like...
It is a good hymn. I’m sure your solo version was quite well done. I had an old buddy who like choral versions. The most stirring for me was that at the 9/11 Memorial Service. You probably remember it.
Go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcYOHNWZ3jQ
What a sad reception for such a beautiful hymn. The same hymn with a God-loving, patriotic audience would have them standing in joy.