Battle Hymn of the Republic

Having read a post at the Blogger of Jared on The War Prayer by Mark Twain, I decided to look the story up online to learn a little more about it. What I found was another commentary by Mark Twain on war. This time in the form of a parody of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. I think that his commentary is just as valid today as it was when he wrote this piece which was most likely about the Philippine-American War from 1899-1902.

Battle Hymn of the Republic
(Brought Down to Date)
Mark Twain(1900?)


Mine eyes have seen the orgy of the launching of the Sword;
He is searching out the hoardings where the stranger's wealth is stored;
He hath loosed his fateful lightnings, and with woe and death has scored;
His lust is marching on.

I have seen him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps;
They have builded him an altar in the Eastern dews and damps;
I have read his doomful mission by the dim and flaring lamps --
His night is marching on.

I have read his bandit gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with my pretensions, so with you my wrath shall deal;
Let the faithless son of Freedom crush the patriot with his heel;
Lo, Greed is marching on!"

We have legalized the strumpet and are guarding her retreat;*
Greed is seeking out commercial souls before his judgement seat;
O, be swift, ye clods, to answer him! be jubilant my feet!
Our god is marching on!

In a sordid slime harmonious Greed was born in yonder ditch,
With a longing in his bosom -- and for others' goods an itch.
As Christ died to make men holy, let men die to make us rich --
Our god is marching on.