"Battle Hymn of the Empire" - Marsh Family adaptation of "Battle Hymn of the Republic" about Trump

The “Battle Hymn of the Republic” is an iconic American song, drawing on lots of roots and precursors, but pulled into its most famous shape by abolitionist Julia Ward Howe. During the American Civil War it became a signature marching song for the Union Army, linked to patriotism and faith, and has since become part of the canon of American national music. We do not attempt or treat it lightly, but our version reflects on how the first week of 2026 has already seen Trump's troops advancing his domestic and foreign policy agendas. Every marching step is another step away from the principles and traditions embedded in the song: we have seen the transgression of international law in Venezuela, the murder of unarmed Americans in Minneapolis (and its defence by the administration), the US's withdrawal from multiple international organisations, and explicit threats issued to other sovereign powers and polities, including Greenland.

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LYRICS:

Our eyes have seen the stories of the breaking of the laws
Of the trampling and the wreckage, of the use of deadly force
Those who loosed the hate and violence now expect to reap rewards
Trump’s troops go marching on

We have seen it in the barbed-wire of his dark detention camps
His unbuilding of the White House and his grifting and his scams
In his sick self-righteous sentences and postures with his hands
Trump’s hatred marches on

How he longs to have an empire
How he longs to have an empire
How he hankers for an empire!
Trump’s troops are marching on.

ICE shot dead an unarmed mother sitting harmless at the wheel
They might spin it to condemn her, but the footage shows what’s real
Yet they fear no retribution for the murder they conceal
Since Trump is marching on

He has Delta Force to mobilise with choppers and a fleet
He’ll be stripping nations’ assets, with aggression and deceit
Oh, beware if you’ve got min-er-als or dare to drag your feet!
For Trump is marching on

How he longs to have an empire
How he longs to have an empire
How he hankers for an empire!
Trump’s troops are marching on.

In the reckless opportunities Trump seeks across the seas
He gives license to the tyrants – to the Putins, and the Xis
They all lie about their motives, and the prize is never peace
While Trump is marching on

He is drumming out the glory of a land once free and brave
He is chiselling the marble but the statue looks depraved
Now the world must watch this ghoul, as he launches tidal waves
Let’s hope one day they’re gone

Glory, glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, glory, Hallelujah!
Glory, glory, Hallelujah!
Let’s hope one day they’re gone

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