America: A History Podcast

What is The Battle Hymn of the Republic?

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Episode notes

This week we are literally discussing the theme song to this podcast. It became synonymous with the Civil War, and in the years and centuries since it has been adapted, sampled, covered and repurposed in just about every way possible, by musicians, politicians, sports teams and more. So today I am asking… what is the Battle Hymn of the Republic?

To discuss this I am joined by Thomas Smith, Professor of American Literature and Culture and Deputy Director of Area Studies at the University of East Anglia.

And our special guest is Catherine Bateson, an Associate Professor of American History at the University of Kent, and also the author of Irish American Civil War Songs: Identity, Loyalty, and Nationhood, which we will link to in the show notes.

Mentioned in this episode:

BOOK: Irish American Civil War Songs: Identity, Loyalty, and Nationhood by Catherine Bateson

SONG: An American Trilogy by Elvis Presley

POEM: Battle Hymn of the Republic by Julia Ward Howe

SONG: John Brown’s Body

SONG: Glory, Glory, Hallelujah by the London Community Gospel Choir

SONG: Glory Glory Man. United

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