“His truth is marching on”
John Hinderaker posts a fabulous performance of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” at his daughter’s public school.
Yes, public school.
Don’t tell the ACLU and Code Pink!
Posted in: Education
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Yey for the good guys.
Beautiful. Made my heart swell with pride for the country I am blessed to live in.
WOW Hats off to the chiors and director, fantastic arrangment.
This put a big spark into my day. Thanks for posting it!
Amazing quality and I loved the arrangement.
Very nice performance and the fact that this was sung in a publice school is indeed encouraging. Maybe there’s hope for this county yet.
Somewhere, the alarm bell is ringing at the local ACLU chapter, and lawyers are racing down the fire-poles to their cars with their suits and briefcases full of meaningless motions and suits
Absolutely stunning! Gave me chills of pride. Thanks for posting this! This piece of music is so elegant and regal - and these kids certainly did it great justice.
Thanks so much for posting that.One of my favorites and I must say the kids made this old Marine’s eyes sweat a bit.
Thanks Michelle and GOD Bless them. Made my night and put a smile on my face!
Trolls and crapweasels griping about how their constitutional rights have just been violated by these kids in:
5…4…3…
The arrangement is a very well known arrangement in choral sectors by Peter Wilhousky. It’s truly the definitive choral arrangement for that song as far as I’m concerned. I’ve performed it many times and the music and lyrics are indeed glorious. It’s a delight to know that God and country still have a place in some sections of public institutions.
That was lovely !
Simply Awesome…Reminded me of days gone by at St Mary’s Cathedral.
The Children and choir were harmonious
Thanks for sharing and putting a smile
on this conservatives face…
After reading the post describing the treachery and spies in our intelligence areas -FBI-CIA-I asked myself if the Christians in this country were ever going to wake up. They are obviously alive and well in the above school district. Thank you so much for sharing.
Just brilliant! I had chills. The choir as well as the band were wonderful.
This is the second time in November that I have been touched by non politically correct actions. On November 2 the City of Philadelphia held a prayer memorial service for Officer Charles Cassidy who was shot and killed while on duty. It was held at City Hall and a local television station had a big screen outdoors so that the public could gather to pray. All three local stations pre-empted regular programming to air the Memorial Service live. They also pre-empted regular programming to air the funeral Mass.
I was very proud of Philadephia that day.
I guess the month of November is truly a month of Thanksgiving.
I always cry when I hear children singing anyway, and now look what you’ve done…
Wait… gotta get another Kleenex…
There [sniff].
John Hinderaker also said, “A small band accompanies the choir.” I’m curious if it was the school band. They, too, were outstanding, especially that trumpeter!
I’m keeping this one!
I’m a substitute teacher. I subbed for a music teacher last week in my kids public school. On the agenda for the day was to sing two Thanksgiving songs. One said “we give thanks to the Lord” in it. None of the kids went running and screaming from the room and as far as I know, no parents complained.
Magnificent!! I’m always curious though if people truly understand the Gospel in these songs. Christmas songs too are also filled with the Gospel and Salvation message, but I doubt very few truly hear and understand the words.
I’ve always found the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” awesomely blood-stirring, even in the early days of my overseas pre-Americanhood.
It’s even more moving for me now as a decades-long citizen.
One understands why Queen Elizabeth II had it memorably performed on two state occasions: Churchill’s funeral and the September 14th memorial service for the 9-11 fallen.
While it’s immensely laudable that the school district chose it as the concert finale, it’s quite lamentable that their music directors chose to PC-ify the hymn with the fashionably “correct” revision in the penultimate verse declaring that, “As He died to make men holy, let us [LIVE] to make men free!”, instead of the original sanctified commitment that, “As He died to make men holy, let us DIE to make men free!”
Too bad many modern Americans find that avowal too bloody even for freedom’s sake!
I think I heard the ACLU crying out. They apparently are having a difficult time explaining to the libs what the exact definition of “His” is.
I thought it was “Let us Fight to make men free”
Learn something new every day.
Personally, I like George Patton’s take on that a bit better. “The object is NOT to die for your country! The object is to make some other poor bastard die for his!” Ah if only we still had men like him nowadays!
#17 Mojamaiko
Good point. It is also useful to remember a time when Unitarians like Julia Ward Howe had backbone and believed in defending the values of Western Civilization.
Marvelous. The kids did a great job. If you want to hear this arrangement performed by the Army band and choir, it’s at Battle Hymn.
By the way, they sing “die.” I’ve never quite understood the reason for changing the lyric, but I’ve noticed that two recent arrangements I’ve seen recently don’t even show “live” as an alternate lyric; simply as the lyric.
Personally, I like George Patton’s take on that a bit better. “The object is NOT to die for your country! The object is to make some other poor bastard die for his!” Ah if only we still had men like him nowadays!
WarTip
We do have men like that still. I serve with them every day.
Just what the doctor ordered on this Thanksgiving week Monday.
Amen and amen.
Kevlaur
Beautiful!
Thank You, brought a tear to my eye no doubt!
I been out of the service for a long time but I appreciate what you do and what you are going through. I know many men I served with were the same way and I have no doubt that our military is still the greatest in the world and full of Proud Americans like you. I did not mean in any way to question what you are doing or your belief or dedication. I only meant that I wish we had people like him in power on a National level. Perhaps the world would be a better place and our Brothers in Arms would not be quite so far into harm’s way.
Thanks for you service Brother and I pray we never have to fight the good fight on American soil. Thanks in no small part to people like you, we have avoided that so far. I am just worried that if these loons are so out of control now, what is the future going to hold for us.
Wow! Now we’re talkin!! That was fabulous. I always loved those lyrics from Julia Ward Howe. Those kids should be invited to perform at the White House, like today.
Wonderful. Not a dry eye in the crowd, I don’t think.
Thank you, Michelle. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
May God bless our country today and always.
God bless you Michelle for posting this. I’m watching it from Peru and it only makes me more anxious to get back to the wonderful country God has given us. Have a great Thanksgiving for all of your family.
It is. I love the Battle Hymn, although my personal favorite has to be the Navy Hymn (”Eternal Father, Strong to Save) because both my dad and father-in-law are veterans of our Navy. We had it played as one of the prelude pieces at our wedding, and it was lovely.
I’m glad they sang this.
Some days, it seems as if folk who cannot grasp the clear, explicit language of the First Amendment are a hair’s breadth away from making religion (read: Christianity) illegal in this nation. I always hold out hope that my fellow Christians will rise up and take back what is rightfully ours.
God bless you all!
Great way to start my Thanksgiving 3 day work week! Thank you for sharing Michelle.
Do you think non-Christian families (such as the other half of the “Judeo-Christian” alliance) should be able to send their children to public school without fear that those children will be subjected to Christian indoctrination?
Did you know that some sects of Christianity find the Battle Hymn very distasteful?
The parts of Jeremaiah the song refers to (crushing the bones of our enemies like grapes after the harvest) hardly make Christianity seem like a religion of peace.
That was beautiful. Thank You
Context, lgm, context. The Battle Hymn was written for the Union soldiers to sing in the Civil War. Of course it’s militant!
Awesome! Thanks for the great start for the day.
Soap PIMPS lgm for being a pure Moby
I G N O R E
H I M
Do YOU think Christian families should be able to send their children to public shcool without fear that these children - and their faith - will be mocked, minimized, attacked and criticized?
Let’s go over this one more time.
The First Amendment does not call for a separation of church and state. Repeat that as often as necessary until it sinks in.
It prohibits an establishment of religion by the government, the definition of which reads:
So, therefore, whenever a Nativity, or a cross, or a hymn appears on public property or in public schools, it is not an ESTABLISHMENT of religion - but the free expression thereof. I’m certain that any students who objected to singing this hymn could have opted out, and likewise anyone in the audience offended by it could walk out.
What it boils down to is this…either the First Amendment means everything to everybody or it means nothing to anyone. You cannot say, “Free speech for me, but no religious expression for thee.” It doesn’t work that way.
Regarding Christianity and peace, there’s a vast difference between the peace Christ advocated and pacifism. He knew - and often preached about - the criticism and harrassment Christians would face, but in no way did he ever say it was permissible to let people outlaw your faith, threaten your safety, or wage war against you unopposed. Remember Jesus in the temple - he was more than a little miffed there. And there are clear teachings that justify war, self-defense, and other issues.
Peace is optimal, but the church recognizes that it’s not always possible and pacifism would lead to the assured destruction of the Christian faith.
Didn’t Southernboy get banned for this?
englishqueen01 said (#35):
The ideal would be to acknowledge and appreciate the religions of the kids without promoting any one of them. Promoting one of the religions amounts to procelyzing. The Battle Hymn not only has a Christian message (God and his soldiers will kill opponents of Christianity), but many find it offensive, even sects of Christians.
The fact that it was sung by Union soldiers in the Civil war does not change that. I dare say that not every song soldiers have sung on the way to battle is appropriate for children.
OUTSTANDING!!! I hope the school, these students and this choral director somehow understand how much this has been appreciated and enjoyed by so many.
I am going to get this in before you get banned.
Which religion are they promoting? Christianity is not a religion, it is a belief system.
For a teacher, you cannot spell. It is spelled proselytizing.
pros•e•lyt•ize : verb: to convert or attempt to convert as a proselyte; recruit. Tell me Moby, who were these precious children trying to convert and into what religion?
Christian message? Hand over your money As_clown as it has a “Christian message” as well – “In GOD we trust”. There are religions not sects and there is not a single Christian who would be offended by this song let alone its performance. If you find one, you have not found a Christian but Southernboy.
That it is offensive to Christians? Please.
No, not every song. The movie “Stripes” comes to mind. Every song about honor is appropriate for our children.
Before you open your trap about what it is to be Christian and what we believe and who we are, you should try being one for a change. I pray for the poor minds you pollute – being a teacher. You are the very reason we choose to take our children out of public schools.
So, pray tell, lgm - how in the world do you “acknowledge and appreciate” something by forbidding if from ever being expressed, shared, or discussed in the public sphere?
I don’t understand why people freak out when they see or hear anything having to do with Christianity. Why is it so threatening to you?
I mean, do you think just seeing a cross, or hearing a hymn or Christmas carol, is going to do some harm to you? Do you think people will be so overwhelmed by a public prayer or outdoor Nativity scene they’ll go running to their local church for services?
Seriously - I want to know what the threat is.
Because, to me, it seems as if secular fundmentalists (read: liberals and athesits) who just about lay an egg whenever a cross is erected in memorial to someone along the highway, or kids sing a Christmas carol at school are pretty uncertain of their beliefs if they have to fight off other beliefs (read: Christianity) so rabidly.
I have a friend who is Jewish, so I’ve seen menorahs and the Star of David - the though of telling him he can’t display items of his faith because I might feel I’m being proselytized to is laughable.
I’m strong enough in my faith and convictions that seeing the symobls of another religion don’t make me break out in cold sweats.
But secular fundamentalists seem unable to do the same thing. Wonder why…
I am going to tread very carefully here because I do not want to engage in a debate about what the parameters or meaning of the first amendment are.
I am an atheist. And I have absolutely zero issue with the “Battle Hymn” being sung, nor with traditional Christmas songs, etc… As has been said, context is vital. Not every mention of God in our classrooms is some malicious attempt to indoctrinate our youth.
It would be very sad, and a disservice to our children’s education to eradicate anything that speaks of God from our schools. Atheist or not, many of our greatest works of art have been inspired by a belief in God. Should children not be taught Handel’s Messiah in Music class or study the Sistine Chapel in Art History or read Dante? Or should we teach these thing, but refuse to acknowledge the inspiration? Can, for example, the abolition movement in the US be properly discussed without acknowledging the significant, if not primary, role evangelicals had in it?
This issue of getting up in arms at every whisper of “God” in the hallowed halls of public schools is one area where some on the left really need to shut up. It makes them look foolish and petty. I do believe it is a small, but vocal minority, even among liberals. But those on the left that have a reasonable view of such things should do more to discourage such reactionism.
chapoutier:
Thank you for being sensible. I hope that doens’t sound condescending, but if that vocal minority followed your example things like this wouldn’t be an issue.
Howdy Chapoutier!
Great post! You and I are polar on the issue of GOD but, I appreciate your beliefs and I really appreciate how you feel.
Perfectly stated chapoutier. I’d probably be considered a deist by most and my wife (a Vietnamese immigrant) is Buddhist and has exposed our kids to Buddhist teachings. Militant atheists are pretty goofy most of the time and really do their cause more harm than good in many instances. While he’s pretty hard-core in this atheism, Hitchens has written some pretty interesting stuff on the importance of Christian art, music, literature, architecture, etc. and their importance and significance in western culture. That was a very cool performance by those kids.
As good as The Tabernacle Choir when I was stationed in Utah!! Tears were gushing with pride!
Just beautiful. Thanks Michelle for bringing this to our attention. It gives me hope for this country and my grandchildrens future.
englishqueen01 asked (#40):
Having the class sing the Battle Hymn at a school assembly is not “anything having to do with..”. I didn’t “freak out”, but explained people’s (mine and others’) cultural sensitivities, on the off chance you wanted to respect them. The threat is that my kids would become Christian, which would thrill me as much as much as your kids’ becoming Muslim would thrill you.
On-my-soap-box said (#39):
Go to Wisconsin and talk to the senior citizens. I have talked to many who are. I don’t remember whether it was the Methodists or the Baptists or the Calvinists or the Episcipalians. Calling them “sects” is not an insult, but a statement that they share many but not all beliefs.
Go to Wisconsin and find the few that you can’t remember but, they are there. And the conservation you had with them just happened to be about this song? BWAAAAAHHHAAAAAHHAAAA
OTAY!
I will give you your definition of sect because it can be true. It can also be an insult and I choose to believe by your posts, it was an insult.
One question:
Don’t you EVER get tired of coming off as an id10t?
#47
I didn’t “freak out”, but explained people’s (mine and others’) cultural sensitivities, on the off chance you wanted to respect them.
Perhaps you might consider the off chance that you might want to respect those that do not share your beliefs as well. That would be a starting point. As for “cultural sensitivities” perhaps we are becoming a culture that is way too sensitive…brissling at the slightest mention of God.
Its this statement that makes me kinda go hmmmmmmm….
“The threat is that my kids would become Christian, which would thrill me as much as much as your kids’ becoming Muslim would thrill you.”
If hearing a song that might be Christian makes you feel threatened that your children will become Christian..well…
You would always have the option of not having your children participate. That would be reasonable.
But the way you have worded your responses makes it appear as though your insecurities are showing.
Someone should explain to the touchy-feely libs,that this is what American feels like.Beautiful.
1 word…”WOW”!
So, your definition of “respecting” your sensitivies is for me - and my children - deny our faith. Got it.
Really? You really believe that? There’s so much wrong with that statement I can’t even begin to dissect it - starting with the fundamental differences between Christianity and Islam. I think this comment shows your true sentiments - it’s CHRISTIANITY and not “religion” that you have the problem with.
If you have so little confidence in your belief system that you think a song in school could cause your child to convert, that’s a problem you need to work out.
Me? I’m very confident that the way I raise my children - and how I teach them and explain the faith - will give them a stronger character and conviction. Just as I’m confident that if I happen across a menorah, or the labryinth thing going on at my workplace today, that I won’t go…”Gee, I think that one little thing leads me to convert.” My beliefs are rock-solid.
It’s not fool proof, but at least I won’t spend my days worrying a song will lead them away from their religion.
Exactly. I am not saying that, in a certain situation, a public school could not go too far. I would object, for example, if after the pledge, my kid was forced to recite the Apostle’s Creed every day.
But there is a whole ocean between that hypothetical and a school choir singing the Battle Hymn, which has cultural relevance independent of its religious significance. Oh and it is a real pretty tune too.
lgm, I know religion is a particularly touchy subject, but its kind of like objecting to your kids reading Kerouac in school because you are afraid they will come home a beatnik.
chapoutier
Yours is truly a voice of reason.
I wholeheartedly agree with your post.
Thanks for the respect.