Um...no. Here's what you said:
If you read the lyrics of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, it refers to killing American civilians, families....
Here's a clue for you: Words mean things, and that sentence means that the lyrics advocate the killing of civilians. Nice try.
You said it advocated those things. You did not say it advo The Battle Hymn of the Republic was written by Julia Howe, not Lincoln.
Here's another clue: Two writiers can discuss the same things in their work. My point remains the same. Read Lincoln's Second Inaugural and then ask yourself what the grapes of wrath is all about.
The Battle Hymn was written by a woman using John Brown as her inspiration.
John Brown WAS not above terrorizing people of all kinds who got in his way.
What do you think those lyrics mean? They are a “hymn” stating that the Army of the Potomac was the Army of God and was going to stomp out the South. That’s EXACTLY what it means.
“Read Lincoln’s Second Inaugural and then ask yourself what the grapes of wrath is all about.”
He doesn’t address the hymn or those who supported the idea - popular in some avenues of the North - to so punish the South that it would amount to genocide. Of course, Lincoln didn’t agree with that, but that doesn’t change the attitude in others.
“He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored”
Killing the enemy is justified, as it’s God’s punishment.
“I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps”
God's judgement has been passed on the enemy.
“As ye deal with My contempters, so with you My grace shall deal”
If you kill the enemy, you serve God and go to heaven.
“I have read the fiery gospel writ in burnished rows of steel”
Not exactly Christian, here, either.
Certainly, no Christian hymn. Of course, it was written by the wife of a John Brown supporter in on the Harpers Ferry Raid.
We can debate the lyrics, but do so actually reading them in their proper context of 1861 and without the childishness. Words do mean things. Just like these words.
Many songs lose their proper context. “This Land is Your Land” was written by a Communist, yet some consider it “American”.