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Julia Ward Howe's Song 'The Battle Hymn Of The Republic'

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In the song “The Battle Hymn of The Republic” by Julia Ward Howe, is a bit longer than expected, it has a great beat, words, and musical instrumentation throughout the whole song. Being drawn to this piece of music by its title and having had family fight for our freedom, I chose to learn more about this song. The introduction is an announcement of the “eyes” of the soldiers seeing enough of war. With the wording of “God’s truth is marching on” and the war coming to an end, shows soldiers singing songs of praise for getting to come home and be with family. This gives a happy tone throughout the song. The beat on the instruments goes high and low as the singers of the song sing of God marching on to fight for freedom.
Historical context
Julia …show more content…

Her mother died giving birth to a sibling and her father was a successful banker. Women’s education was limited at the time, but Julia took it upon herself to educate herself and some siblings. An older brother that traveled the world would send books back to the family. Julia loved to read them, expanding her knowledge and increasing her love of writing. She married Samuel Gridley Howe, who was famous for his work on the Greek Revolution reform. Julia and her husband, Samuel, lived in Massachusetts where her husband was a teacher. Julia would write letters to her sister when she was first married and those letters showed Julia was depressed. Julia and Samuel separated leaving two kids to stay with each parent. With a collection of poems Julia had written, she had them published anonymously, but the author was figured out because the poems were so personally descriptive. Becoming involved in reform movements, supported issues, women’s rights, and education, Julia developed friendship with intellectual elite, William Ellery Channing, Thomas Wentworth Higginson, and Theodore Parker. Though her husband objected to her working, Julia helped edit a newspaper for a short period and was able to secure her own interest of work. Being fluent in seven languages and a scholar of philosophy helped Julia with her writings. The “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” was published in 1861 and made her and instant celebrity, and made her one of the most famous women in the 19th century in America. Continuing to study on Women’s Suffrage kept Julia involved, and she became a preacher, a reformer, a writer, and a poet. After the passing of her husband, Julia felt free and answered to no one but herself and God. She traveled the world promoting Women’s rights and Education Reforms. She also helped in creating Mother’s Day, a day were women could gather and discuss how to achieve world peace, and a mother’s

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