2009-07-31 01:57:25 GMT
Say Brothers, Will You Meet Us?
The version of "Say Brothers, Will You Meet Us?" that refers to John Brown, does in fact refer to the abolitionist. There are two versions of "John Brown's Body" The second version explicity mentions events in the life of John Brown (including his raid on Harper's Ferry, Virginia and his subsequent execution). I have included the lyrics below.
John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave
While weep the sons of bondage whom he ventured all to save
But though he lost his life in struggling for the slave
His truth is marching on...Chorus
John Brown was a hero, undaunted, true and brave
Kansas knew his valor when he fought her rights to save
And now though the grass grows green above his grave
His truth is marching on... Chorus
He captured Harper's Ferry with his nineteen men so few
And he frightened 'Old Virginny' till she trembled through and through
They hung him for a traitor, themselves a traitor crew
But his truth is marching on... Chorus
John Brown was the Baptist for the Christ we are to see
Christ who for the bondsman shall the Liberator be
And soon through out the sunny South the slaves shall all be free
For his truth is marching on... Chorus
The conflict that he heralded, he looks from heaven to view
On the army of the Union with its flag, red, white and blue
And heaven shall ring with anthems o'er the deeds they mean to do
For his truth is marching on... Chorus
Oh, soldiers of freedom, then strike while strike you may
The death blow of oppression in a better time and way
For the dawn of old John brown has brightened into day
And his truth is marching on... Chorus
