John Brown's body lies a mould'ring in the grave,
John Brown's body lies a mould'ring in the grave,
John Brown's body lies a mould'ring in the grave,
His soul goes marching on!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
His soul is marching on.
The stars of heaven are looking kindly down (3x)
On the grave of old John Brown!
He's gone to be a soldier in the army of the Lord, (3x)
His soul goes marching on!
John Brown's knapsack is strapped upon his back, (3x)
His soul goes marching on!
Various sources also list the following verses:
John Brown died to put an end to slavery. (3x) (or: that the slaves might be free)
His soul goes marching on!
He captured Harper's Ferry with his nineteen men so true.
He frightened Old Virginny till she trembled through and through.
They hung him for a traitor, they themselves the traitor crew,
But his soul goes marching on!
Old John Brown's body lies a-mould'ring 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 slaves,
His soul is marching on.
John Brown's Body (2nd variant)
Edna D. Proctor
John Brown died on the scaffold for the slave,
Dark was the hour when we dug his hallowed grave;
Now God avenges the life he gladly gave,
Freedom reigns to-day!
John Brown sowed, and the harvesters are we;
Honor to him who has made the bondmen free;
Loved evermore shall our noble ruler be,
Freedom reigns to-day!
John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave;
Bright o'er the sod let the starry banner wave;
Lo! for the million he periled all to save,
Freedom reigns to-day!
John Brown's soul through the world is marching on;
Hail to the hour when oppression shall be gone;
All men will sing in the better day's dawn,
Freedom reigns to-day!
John Brown dwells where the battle strife is o'er;
Hate cannot harm him, nor sorrow stir him more;
Earth will remember the martyrdom he bore,
Freedom reigns to-day!
John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave;
John Brown lives in the triumph of the brave;
John Brown's soul not a higher joy can crave,
Freedom reigns to-day!
