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Page 60 Punzi • A Religious Interpretation of Jesus Christ and His judgment of the earth. This song elaborates on that theme by describing the coming of the Lord with lightning and storm. The song declares that the main force is God’s truth “marching on.” Alone, this does not connect to the immediate historical context of the Civil War. But later in the song, there is a call to “die to make men free.” The following section will revisit the song because of its narrative allusions, but the textual allusions do show the soldiers acknowledged God was active in the world and worthy of praise. Narrative Allusions Given the method and definition of narrative allusions as references to specific stories within the biblical text, this section will analyze songs and hymns to demonstrate the religious interpretation of the Civil War. “Jehovah Our Deliverer” 48 The Union talks about the Lord’s role on their side of the war through these lyrics. This song makes narrative allusions from the general biblical storyline of how God interacts with the nation of Israel. The lyrics declare, “Had not the Lord, may Israel say, on Israel’s side engaged, the foe had quickly swallow’d us.” The song claims that as God intervened on the side of Israel, so He will side with them. The soldiers say, “Secure in God’s almighty name, our confidence remains.” The song also claims that God is the God who “made both heaven and earth,” which alludes to God creating the world in Genesis 1-2. These two narrative allusions place the Civil War within the context of God working on behalf of the nation of Israel. The Union relied on God to fight for them as He had fought for Israel. “Where is Our Moses” 49 The chorus asks, “Where is our Moses that once was to be! Here now we stand by the deep ‘Red Sea,’ O who’ll lead us thro’ unto sweet liberty!” This is a clear allusion to the story of God using Moses to lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt through the Red Sea (Exodus 14-15). The song frames this biblical allusion as if they are waiting for such a deliverer to lead them to safety, victory, and liberty. The language seems to suggest the soldiers did not just hope that such a leader would come, they assumed one would. The allusion connects the Union’s hope for victory in the Civil War to the hope of Israel to be led out of slavery in the Old Testament. “Battle Hymn of the Republic” 50 This song includes one verse in particular that links the biblical narrative to the cause of the Civil War. Verse five says, “In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me: As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free, while God is marching on.” The song alludes to the death of Jesus Christ in the New Testament and claims a parallel mission. As Jesus died for a greater purpose, so will the North. The result of Christ’s death was to make men holy, and the result of their deaths will be to make slaves free. The song elevates the current struggle by casting an eternal significance on the Union’s efforts. This verse is 48 Wm. A. King, Jehovah Our Deliverer , (New York: Wm. A. Pond & Co. 1863) Notated Music. 49 J.H. McNaughton, Where is our Moses , (Boston: Oliver Ditson & Co. 1866) Notated Music. 50 Howe, Battle Hymn of the Republic .