Channels, Fall 2019

Page 58 Punzi • A Religious Interpretation even until death. This shows that the Union soldiers believed their fighting was guided by God. He was leading the Union to triumph, even if the soldiers died. The Union claims “plotters of treason, as just retribution, merit thy wrath and the vengeance of Heaven.” The relationship of God and vengeance occurs several times in the Bible, for example in Deuteronomy 32:35. “Wrath” and “heaven” are also specifically linked in several places (Isaiah 13:13; Romans 1:18). This borrowed biblical language demonstrates the soldiers believed the war was a way to bring divine vengeance on the wicked as they saw it, the treacherous South. They believed that, as the Civil War raged, God was pouring out His divine wrath on the Confederacy for their treason against the nation. The lyrics also use the expression “Hosanna!” which is found in the Gospels (Matthew 21:9, 15; Mark 11:9, 10; John 12:13). “Hosanna” is used in these passages to praise God and express the Union’s hope. “Hosanna” opens the anthem as the soldiers declare their hope in God and the Union. This borrowed biblical language links their hope in God and their efforts in the war to bring freedom. Their actions in the Civil War are interwoven with their worship of God. Textual Allusions Given the method and definition of textual allusions as references to specific texts, phrases, or verses, this section will analyze songs and hymns to demonstrate the religious interpretation of the Civil War. “Glory to God in the Highest!” 43 This song title repeats as part of the chorus and quotes Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest.” Such a chorus clearly demonstrates the Union believed they worked for the glory of God. A line says, “Here over Washington’s grave, in communion, pledging our country to Freedom and Union!” The song’s reference to George Washington brings their continuing to fight for freedom and the Union into its historical context. The biblical allusion shows that the soldiers believed their actions in the Civil War brought God glory. Another line says, “home of the exile and stranger: Peace be on earth! Peace be on earth! Good will to men—out of Liberty’s birth.” This line is a quotation from the latter half of Luke 2:14, where angels finish proclaiming the birth of Jesus to shepherds. The song’s desire is similar, only here the peace comes as a result of the birth of liberty. The textual allusion demonstrates an interrelating of Christ, peace, liberty, and the working of the Union to bring about freedom. The Union soldiers believed their fight for liberty glorified God and would result in peace like the peace that came with the birth of Jesus. “The Soldier’s Prayer” 44 Earlier, the borrowed biblical language section discussed “The Soldier’s Prayer,” but there is one unique occasion in which the song is alluding to a specific text. As said before, the song is a Union soldier’s prayer asking God to protect and provide courage for the fight. Part of this prayer is that God will keep them safely in “the hollow of thy hand.” This phrase occurs once in the Bible, in Isaiah 40:12, where God is known as the one who “measured out waters in the hollow of his hand.” Isaiah 43 E.A. Parkhurst and A. J. H Duganne, Glory to God in the Highest! (New York: Horace Waters, 1865) Notated Music. 44 Dunbar, The Soldier's Prayer .