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          The abolitionist John Brown made an unsuccessful raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in October 1859. Brown intended to arm the slaves and lead an insurrection to destroy slavery, but he was quickly captured, tried, and executed. Set to the tune of a Methodist hymn, these lyrics apparently were concocted by a group of Massachusetts soldiers at the beginning of the war in order to lampoon one of their sergeants who had the same name as the famous abolitionist martyr. After the regiment sang this song while parading down Broadway in New York, it
quickly became a famous Union marching piece. In the second half of the war, it was a particular favorite song among black units.

John Brown's Body

John Brown's body lies amouldering in the grave John Brown's body lies amouldering in the grave John Brown's body lies amouldering in the grave His soul is marching on.

Glory , glory , hallelujah Glory, glory, hallelujah Glory, glory, hallelujah His soul is marching on.

He's gone to be a soldier in the anny of the Lord He's gone to be a soldier in the anny of the Lord He's gone to be a soldier in the anny of the Lord His soul is marching on.

Glory, Glory, hallelujah etc.

John Brown's knapsack is snapped upon his back John Brown's knapsack is snapped upon his back John Brown's knapsack is snapped upon his back His soul is marching on.

The stars of heaven are looking kindly down The stars of heaven are looking kindly down The stars of heaven are looking kindly down On the grave of old John Brown

We'll hang Jeff Davis to a sour apple tree We'll hang Jeff Davis to a sour apple tree We'll hang Jeff Davis to a sour apple tree As we go marching on.

Glory, Glory, hallelujah etc.