Battle Hymn of the Republic (for Brass Quintet)

The Battle Hymn of the Republic is a defining song of American patriotism, and aspiring to the promises of equality and justice, arranged here for Brass Quintet (2 trumpets, horn, trombone, tuba). The tune comes from an old American campmeeting hymn ("Say Brothers, will you Meet Us"), which became a soldier's song of the Union Army during the American Civil War. Julia Ward Howe, an abolitionist, penned the now famous biblically-inspired words, comparing the abolition of slavery, for which the Union increasingly stood, to the second coming of God. This arrangement presents four verses, with the fourth intended to be sung by the ensemble and audience. Listen for the "trumpets that will never sound retreat" in the bugle calls of the third verse, and don't hold back during the fugue of the last chorus reprise. The righteous, apocalyptic fire which Howe wove into this tune stands equal or superior to any other expression of American idealism and its struggle for a more just future. Available for purchase now from SheetMusicPlus and SheetMusicDirect!