JOHN BROWN

John Brown

John Brown was so opposed to slavery that he was kicked out of the state of Kansas over the issue. With a small army of five blacks, thirteen whites (including two of his sons) and a wagon load of arms, he attempted to end slavery by arming the slaves.

I pity the poor in bondage, that have none to help them; that is why I am here; not to gratify any personal animosity, revenge or vindictive spirit.

It is my sympathy with the oppressed and wronged, that are as good as you, and as precious in the sight of God. You may dispose of me easily, but this question is still to be settled -- the Negro question -- the end of that is not yet.

-Now if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood further with the blood of my children and with the blood of millions in this slaved country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust enactments, I say, let it be done. Let it be done, Let it be done.

(Actors cry out, some for hanging him, some against.)

John Brown was captured and le out to be hanged. The thing that was so ironic about this was as John Brown was being led out to be hanged, he believed that what he lived for was right and he knew that what he was about to die for was right. People gathered around, just like you and I to watch John Brown be hanged. His cold eyes were cruel looking, but as he walked, he saw a black woman with her child pressed high and his cruel eyes grew tender as he reached down and kissed (smack) the black child. As revolting as it seemed to his peers (they could only respect John Brown.)

John Browns Trial

The "Last Moments of John Brown" by Thomas Hovenden

    John Brown of Ossawatomie, they led him out to die:
    And lo! a poor slave mother with her little child pressed high,
    Then the bold blue eye grew tender, and the old harsh face grew mild,
     As he stopped between the jeering ranks and kissed the Negro's child!

                                                       Picture Album
                                                     Negro Americans in the Civil War
                                                       C. H. Westly

“The Tragic Prelude, John Brown” by John Steuart, National Archives and Records Administration. It is believed by many that John Brown started the Civil War. Brown frequently referred to the Bible during his trial. Note that he is depicted here as having a musket in one hand and a Bible in the other. This theme is repeated in a Gospel Army soldiers prayer that was recorded by Colonel Higginson. 'Let me lib wid de musket in one hand, an' de Bible in de oder dat if I die at de muzzle of de musket, die in de water, die on de land, I may know I hab de bressed Jesus in my hand, an' hab no fear.

The following song was sung to a tune written by a Southern composer. The tune had been one of John Browns favorites. These words were added to the tune:

John Brown’s Body

Johns brown's body lies a moulding in the grave,
       Johns brown's body lies a moulding in the grave,
       Johns brown's body lies a moulding in the grave,
       His soul is marching on.

Chorus:

Glory Hally, Hallelujah!
      Glory Hally, Hallelujah!
      Glory Hally, Hallelujah!
      His soul's marching on.

He's gone to be a soldier in the army of the Lord,
       He's gone to be a soldier in the army of the Lord,
       He's gone to be a soldier in the army of the Lord,
       His soul is marching on.

Chorus:

Glory Hally, Hallelujah!
      Glory Hally, Hallelujah!
      Glory Hally, Hallelujah!
      His soul's marching on.

There was a "secret six" of abolitionists that supported John Browns raid. One of these men was Col. T. W. Higginson who later led "The First South Carolina Volunteers", the first ex-slave regiment organized during the Civil War. Another of the abolitionists that supported John Brown was Samuel Howe. His wife Julia Howe rewrote "John Brown's Body" to become "The Battle Hymn of the Republic” which acted as the American National anthem until 1931. She said that the words came to her in a dream. (G. C. Ward, The Civil War, p104)

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword:
His truth is marching on

Chorus:

Glory Hally, Hallelujah!
Glory Hally, Hallelujah!
Glory Hally, Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on

In the beauty of the lillies 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

Chorus:

Glory Hally, Hallelujah!
Glory Hally, Hallelujah!
Glory Hally, Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on