Your Peace Will Make Us One

Battle Hymn of the Republic was written in 1861 in the American Civil War. Then it was a rallying call for the Union army; now it’s seen by many as a patriotic anthem:

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.

I know that Christian leaders have adopted it. It was certainly quoted by Billy Graham and Martin Luther King… However, I have several problems with it. It’s used to justify war, saying that the way to peace is through war. It is seen to unite people, but it actually divides them. It implies that God is on my side, the good side, and not on yours, the bad side. Rather than trying to bring people together with their differences it says you must agree with me or else…   

Syrian musician Audrey Assad rewrote the lyrics, taking a different approach. She holds onto the themes of God’s truth and justice being carried out on earth but, instead of using  a military pictures of wars and armies she focuses on love and peace; in place of the traditional refrain, “God’s truth is marching on” she sings “Your peace will make us one.”

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
You are speaking truth to power you are laying down our swords
Replanting every vineyard ’til a brand-new wine is poured
Your peace will make us one

I’ve seen You in our home fires burning with a quiet light
You are mothering and feeding in the wee hours of the night
Your gentle love is patient, you will never fade or tire
Your peace will make us one

This is a message of a God of peace not war. It’s about peace between nations, peace between factions in our nations, peace in our politics, peace in our communities, peace between religions, peace in our churches, peace in our families…

It’s a peace that affects me, changes me, in the way I see those who are different from me, those who disagree with me, those who denigrate me. It’s a peace that’s more important than power or being right. It’s not an easy peace, but a peace that brings unity and true freedom.

In the beauty of the lilies, you were born across the sea
With a glory in Your bosom now that is still transfiguring
Dismantling our empires ’til each one of us is free
Your peace will make us one

Glory, glory, Hallelujah
Glory, glory, Hallelujah
Glory, glory, Hallelujah
Your peace will make us one