The Most Important Day

For John, BLUF:  Most important after Pentecost.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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HAPPY  FOURTH

At the end of Mass on Sunday, at Saint Mary's Church in Belleville, the Choir, and the Congregation, sang the first, second and fourth verses of The Battle Hymn of the Republic.  It was inspiring.

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword:
  His truth is marching on.

(Chorus) Glory, Glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
  His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps,
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps:
  His day is marching on.

(Chorus) Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
  His day is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me.
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free*,
  While God is marching on.

(Chorus) Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
  While God is marching on.

Still inspiring, a hundred and fifty-six years later.

Although their Lordships at The Wash Post probably think:

Yes, it is overwrought and jingoistic.  It glorifies war.  It trumpets self-righteousness.

Hat tip to the Ann Althouse Blog for that last bit.

Regards  —  Cliff