#60 "Battle Hymn of the Republic"

I am so glad that this hymn was added to the 1985 edition of the hymnbook.  This is a favorite one to sing around patriotic holidays (Independence Day, Memorial Day, Patriots' Day) even though it is a reference to the second coming of Christ.  My favorite memory of this song is singing it with the Southern California Mormon Choir during the bicentennial in 1976.  It seemed like we sang it at every concert.  The best part was this man in the choir who was tall and kind of looked like Abraham Lincoln.  He would come out during the song, dressed as Abraham Lincoln, and recite the Gettysburg Address.  Sometimes there would even be gasps from the audience when he first walked out in his tall stovepipe hat, long black coat, and full beard.  We sang the Wilhousky arrangement for all those concerts.  Great memories!