“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 camp meeting movement 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.

In November 1861, Julia Ward Howe, having heard this version, used the tune as the basis of her new verse, later known as “The Battle Hymn of the Republic“.

Numerous informal versions and adaptations of the lyrics and music have been created from the mid-1800s to the present, making “John Brown’s Body” an example of a living folk music tradition.

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.