This beautiful song, which is set to the tune of “John Brown,” was
written by Julia Ward Howe in 1861 just after her escape from a rebel
raid when witnessing, with friends, a review of troops near Washington.
In her dreams she was inspired by the beautiful thoughts and she
immediately arose, and hastily noted them down.
It is considered one of the grandest battle hymns of the Republic and
has been a favorite with several of our presidents.