The John Brown Song or Glory Hallelujah

For other versions of this work, see John Brown's Body (song).

Cover page to the sheet music, 1861.

Verse

Oh, John Brown's body lies a mould'ring in the grave,

While weep the sons of bondage whom he ventured all to save;

But tho' he lost his life in struggling for the slave,

His soul is marching on.

Chorus

Oh glory hallelujah

Glory glory hallelujah

Oh glory hallelujah

His soul is marching on.

Verse

John Brown was a hero undaunted, true and brave;

Kansas knew his valor when he fought her rights to save;

And now tho' the grass grows green above his grave,

His soul is marching on.

Verse

He captured Harpers Ferry, with his nineteen men so few,

And he frighten'd "Old Viginny" 'till she trembled thro' and thro';

They hung him for a traitor, themselves a traitor crew,

But his soul is marching on.

Verse

John Brown was John the Baptist for the Christ we are to see

Christ who of the bondman shall the Liberator be;

And soon throughout the sunny south, the slaves shall all be free,

For his soul is marching on.

Verse

The conflict that he heralded, he looks from heav'n to view;

On the army of the Union with its flag red, white and blue,

And heaven shall ring with anthems o'er the deeds they mean to do,

For his soul is marching on.

Verse

O soldiers of freedom, then strike while strike you may

The death blow of oppression in a better time and way;

For the dawn of old John Brown has brighten'd into day,

And his soul is marching on.

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