“John Brown’s Body” (originally known as “John Brown’s Song”) is marching song about the abolitionist John Brown.  The tune may have arisen out of the folk hymn tradition of the American Die "Camp Meeting" Bewegung of the late 18th and early 19th century, possibly from   “Say, Brothers, Will You Meet Us,” an American Christian folk song. Its earliest date for being written down is in 1850, but the song is more likely dated to the late 1700s, during the Second Great Awakening, a series of Evangelical Christian revivals.

Im November 1861, Julia Ward Howeverwendete Julia Ward Howe, nachdem sie diese Version gehört hatte, die Melodie als Grundlage ihres neuen Verses, der später alsThe Battle Hymn of the Republic“.

Zahlreiche informelle Versionen und Adaptionen der Texte und Musik wurden von Mitte des 18. Jahrhunderts bis heute geschaffen, was "John Brown's Body" zu einem Beispiel für eine lebendige Volksmusiktradition macht.

John Brown’s body lies a-mouldering in the grave.
John Brown’s body lies a-mouldering in the grave.
John Brown’s body lies a-mouldering in the grave.
But his soul goes marching on.

He’s gone to be a soldier in the Army of the Free.
He’s gone to be a soldier in the Army of the Free.
He’s gone to be a soldier in the Army of the Free.
His soul goes marching on.

John Brown’s knapsack is strapped upon his back.
John Brown’s knapsack is strapped upon his back.
John Brown’s knapsack is strapped upon his back.
His soul goes marching on.

John Brown died that the slaves might be free.
John Brown died that the slaves might be free.
John Brown died that the slaves might be free.
His soul goes marching on.

The stars above in heaven now are looking kindly down.
The stars above in heaven now are looking kindly down.
The stars above in heaven now are looking kindly down.
His soul goes marching on.

Refrain:
Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, (glory) hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!  His soul goes marching on.