History

-written in 1869 to tune of old prayer song

-immediately becomes extremely popular

-especially after Emancipation Proclamation

-postwar becomes formalized as the American anthem

Song

When the nation's call comes to rally the people once again;

We shall march for the declaration upon the plain;

Oh, we'll bring the jub'lee to all the bondsmen of the chain;

As we go marching on.

Glory, glory, hallelujah;

Glory, glory, glory, hallelujah;

Glory, glory, hallelujah;

As we go marching on.

Against liberty and union, usurpers stand alone;

And now and forever, the slave-ocrats are shattered stone;

But one and insep'rable, free labor is ours to own;

As we go marching on.

Glory, glory, hallelujah;

Glory, glory, glory, hallelujah;

Glory, glory, hallelujah;

As we go marching on.

It was long ago in Boston that our cause saw the light;

We bled and died for the cause of liberty in the night;

But today we count our millions as we girt ourselves to fight;

As we go marching on.

Glory, glory, hallelujah;

Glory, glory, glory, hallelujah;

Glory, glory, hallelujah;

As we go marching on.