Battle Hymn of the American Revolution

In The New American Songbook, published in 1933, the introductory paragraphs give an overview of the types of music that were popular in the early days of America. It states......."The most popular songs with the soldiers of Washington's Army were "Yankee Doodle" and the hymn "Chester". "Chester" was written by William Billings, a tanner's assistant, who was born in Boston in 1746 and who died poor and neglected in his native city in 1800. Billings was a good singer and a great organizer and director. He was chiefly responsible for the development of the organized "singing schools" which were so popular in New England at the end of the 18th century. "Chester" was sung by the Continental Army all through the long years of the Revolutionary War."

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"Chester"

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Verse 1:

Let tyrants shake their iron rod

And slavery clank her galling chains,

We'll fear them not;

We trust in God,

New England's God forever reigns.

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Verse 2:

What grateful offering shall we bring?

What shall we render to the Lord?

Loud hallelujahs let us sing,

And praise His name on every chord.

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Here's more info about this hymn, from its Cyberhymnal webpage: "This hymn was known as the "Battle Hymn of the Revolution". Everywhere, in church and home, by children and the aged, these words were sung with passionate fervor. The soldiers knew them by heart and to the sound of fife and drum they sang them as they advanced to meet the foe. This Battle Hymn contributed not a little to the winning of the Revolutionary War!"

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Cyberhymnal link: www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/t/ltstirod.htm