You might recognize this tune, it is the inspiration for the Battle Hymn of the Republic. There are also several versions of this song, with different lyrics, this one was interpreted Jim Knable and was uploaded to his personal KZfaq channel:
• "John Brown's Body" De...
Created during the opening phase of the American Civil War, the song praises the American abolitionist/folk hero, John Brown. If you don't know who John Brown was... Well he's kinda bit of a controversial figure in American history. For one, Some people would say he's a terrorist, but was also a radical abolitionist (an individual who's against slavery in the US). In fact, so radical, that he gave/lost his life fighting for the freedom of slaves in the US, and through violent means, killing people in the name of Abolitionism and an end to slavery. In 1850, a referendum, called the Kansas-Nebraska Act, was held whether the new state of Kansas should be a slave or free state, causing a surge of migration to the territory in order to convert it to their interests.
The situation became so dire, to the point that the settlers started to kill each other over it, called "Bleeding Kansas", and John Brown was heavily involved in the conflict, sending his sons to settle near the town (now city) of Osawatomie, during the referendum. In 1859, John Brown planned to attack the southern states, a plan he had in his mind for decades, to free the slaves there. His target was an arsenal in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia (at the time Virginia still held that territory). The take over was a success, but the next way he was surrounded by the Virginian Militia and got into a shoot out for a couple days. He was eventually subdued and was hanged. Today, he's a folk hero among Americans, but today he's most likely rolling in his grave for the current state of the US...
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Old John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave
While weep the sons of bondage, who he ventured all to save!
But though he lost his life while struggling for the slave
His soul is marching on!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His soul is marching on!
John Brown was a hero, undaunted, true, and brave!
And Kansas knows his valor when he fought her rights to save!
Now though the grass grows green above his grave
His soul is marching on!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His soul is marching on!
He captured Harper's Ferry with his nineteen men so few!
And frightened old Virginny till she trembled through and through!
They hung him for a traitor, they themselves the traitor crew!
His soul is marching on!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His soul is marching on!
John Brown was John the Baptist of the Christ we are to see!
Christ, who of the bondsmen shall the liberator be!
And soon, throughout the sunny South, the slaves shall all be free!
His soul is marching on!
The conflict that he heralded he looks on from Heaven to view
On the army of the Union, with its flag red, white, and blue!
And Heaven shall ring with anthems o'er the deed they mean to do!
His soul is marching on!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His soul is marching on!
Ye soldiers of freedom, then strike while strike ye may!
The death blow of oppression is a better time and way!
For the dawn of old John Brown has brightened into day
And his soul is marching on!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His soul is marching on!
His soul is marching on!
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