John Brown's Body
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- For the reggae musical group, see John Brown's Body (band).
The tune, probably written by William Steffe in 1855–56, was later used for "The Battle Hymn of the Republic". These lyrics are from the Library of Congress: [link]
Tune: Brothers, will you meet me.
John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave;
John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave;
John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave;
His soul's marching on!
Chorus:
Glory, halle—hallelujah! Glory, halle—hallelujah!
Glory, halle—hallelujah! his soul's marching on!
He's gone to be a soldier in the army of the Lord!
He's gone to be a soldier in the army of the Lord!
He's gone to be a soldier in the army of the Lord!
His soul's marching on!
John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back!
John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back!
John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back!
His soul's marching on!
His pet lambs will meet him on the way;
His pet lambs will meet him on the way;
His pet lambs will meet him on the way;
They go marching on!
They will hang Jeff. Davis to a sour apple tree!
They will hang Jeff. Davis to a sour apple tree!
They will hang Jeff. Davis to a sour apple tree!
As they march along!
Now, three rousing cheers for the Union;
Now, three rousing cheers for the Union;
Now, three rousing cheers for the Union;
As we are marching on!
There is also revisionist evidence that this song was originally created by a group of Union soldiers (with verses different than this), mocking their commander who shared the name "John Brown", as presented by Sarah Vowell on This American Life. [link].
Musicologist Irwin Silber supports this analysis, stating: " 'John Brown's Body' was not composed originally about the fiery Abolitionist at all. The namesake for the song, it turns out, was Sergeant John Brown, a Scotsman, a member of the Second Batallion, Boston Light Infantry Volunteer Militia."
Columnist Mark Steyn elaborates: "This group enlisted with the Twelfth Massachusetts Regiment and formed a glee club at Fort Warren in Boston. Brown was second tenor, and the subject of a lot of good-natured joshing, including a song about him mould’ring in his grave, which at that time had just one verse, plus chorus. They called it 'The John Brown Song'. On July 18th 1861, at a regimental march past the Old State House in Boston, the boys sang the song and the crowd assumed, reasonably enough, that it was inspired by the life of John Brown the Kansas abolitionist, not John Brown the Scots tenor. [...] Later on, various other verses were written about the famous John Brown and the original John Brown found his comrades’ musical tribute to him gradually annexed by the other guy."
\"John Brown's Baby\"
An obviously less morbid and political version about a baby with a cold is often sung by school-age children. The "Baby" version includes sound effects and pantomime. [link]External links
- [Example version of "John Brown's Body"] (MIDI)
- [An article on "John Brown's Body] and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" by Mark Steyn
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