The song commonly known as Greensleaves has been given several other titles and sets of lyrics. The melody is too good to be bound by any one version of the song’s words. Likewise for the song commonly known as the Battle Hymn of the Republic, which got the familiar title and lyrics from the five stanzas published by Julia Ward Howe in 1862. Details and diction bind her words to the Civil War era, but the melody and rhythm break free.
As a performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and another by the US Army Field Band illustrate, there is considerable variety in musical phrasing and how the singers are accompanied (as well as which 2 or 3 stanzas are sung). I tried to write 3 stanzas appropriate for 2017 that really could be sung well by people who know how to sing. The choir or the field band could give a rousing performance of my updated battle hymn.
A few of Howe’s phrases still resonate; I have used them (and a few other fragments of American societal hymnody) in my updated title and lyrics. Will the future find my details from 2017 as dated as Howe’s details from 1862? I hope so.
Battle Hymn of the Resistance
Our eyes have seen the glory
of a land where freedom rings;
where fear and hate are cast aside;
where no one bows to kings;
where clean air fills the spacious skies;
where hope can spread its wings.
We fight to make it real.
Glory, glory hallelujah!
Glory, glory hallelujah!
Glory, glory hallelujah!
We fight to make it real.
When shills disguised as pundits
stole the spotlights on the stage,
the centrists lost their bearings
and misread the workers’ rage.
Dark money seized a chance to buy
a second Gilded Age.
We fight the lies with truth.
Glory, glory hallelujah!
Glory, glory hallelujah!
Glory, glory hallelujah!
We fight the lies with truth.
We still can hear the trumpet
that will never call retreat.
A white-haired warrior still steps forth
to drum a steady beat.
Our voices shout rebuttal
to each cryptofascist tweet,
and we will win this fight.
Glory, glory hallelujah!
Glory, glory hallelujah!
Glory, glory hallelujah!
Yes, we will win this fight.
Writing cogent modern English in triplets is not easy. Neither is saving the Republic from the Age of Trumpery. At best, those who fight this fight will get tired and sweaty. My update of Howe’s lyrics is something they can sing in the shower. I tried that. It helps.
Mellow Curmudgeon 