“The Battle Hymn of the Republic” written by Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910) The tune was borrowed from an old Methodist hymn, “Say, Brothers, Will You Meet Us?” by William Steffe.

In November of 1861, Julia Ward Howe, the daughter of a well-to-do New York City banker, was touring Union army camps near Washington, D.C. with Reverend James Freeman. During the course of their camp visit, the group began to sing some of the currently popular war songs, among them “John Brown’s Body.”  Rev Freeman suggested that Mrs. Howe write something more appropriate.    The first instrument to play the song was a banjo.

Probably the first Memorial Day Song – so have a good Memorial Day.