For generations, soldier’s have marched into battle motivated by a melody of courage, strength and victory. During the United States Civil War a song was written to inspire the northern army (the Union.) But due to the songs ‘sing-ability’ the southern army (the Confederates) adopted the tune and adjusted the words to fit their own rally. The words, for the North, were a simple cry to rally the troops;
“And we’ll rally ’round the flag boys, rally once again shouting the battle cry of freedom!”
But as a soldier of the cross, we have songs of our own to inspire and encourage each other in this ‘fight for the right.’ Consider songs like “Soldiers of Christ, Arise” or “Faith is the Victory” as just a couple of these motivating spiritual songs. But for the next few moments, allow me to direct your mind and consider how this old Civil War melody, “The Battle Cry of Freedom,” compares with one of the Christian’s battle songs as we prepare for conflict. First, from George Root in 1863, the Civil War song of motivation; “The Battle Cry of Freedom.”
“Oh we’ll rally round the flag, boys, we’ll rally once again, shouting the battle cry of freedom, And we’ll rally from the hillside, we’ll gather from the plain,shouting the battle cry of freedom!”
(Chorus) “The Union forever! Hurrah, boys, hurrah! Down with the traitors, and up with the star; While we rally round the flag, boys, we rally once again, shouting the battle cry of freedom!”
From the same period of time, a short six years later in 1869, from the pen of William Sherwin, notice the similarity in reassurance and support that the Christian soldier sings as he calls us to…”Sound the Battle Cry.”
“Sound the battle cry! See, the foe is nigh; raise the standard high for the Lord; Gird your armor on, stand firm, every one; Rest your cause upon His holy Word.”
(Chorus) “Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner, ready, steady, pass the word along; Onward, forward, shout aloud, Hosanna! Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.”
We will continue to find motivation and inspiration in our hymns, but only as long as we’re looking for it (ie., singing with understanding). Don’t take for granted the songs, hymns and spiritual songs that we sing as we encourage one another day by day. God gave us the ability to sing for basically two reasons; so we can praise His name and so we can admonish (inspire) His people. He is deserving of all our praise, and we must never forget that we are in a battle against a wicked enemy. The key is to remember that we are called to victory, so let’s ‘rally round the banner.’
In January, the Freed-Hardeman Chorale toured North Texas during their Winter Tour. I was blessed to hear them sing most every night of the 12 day tour, and one of my favorite songs they sang was written by Kurt Bestor. In 2005, he shared the background for the song and how it was born from his frustration over the horrendous civil war and ethnic cleansing that was taking place in the former country of Yugoslavia. Having lived in this war-torn country during the 70’s, he grew up loving the people with whom he lived and served. The following is a portion of his explanation behind “Prayer of the Children…”
“When Yugoslavian President Josip Broz Tito died, different political factions jockeyed for position and the inevitable happened – civil war. Suddenly my friends were pitted against each other. Serbian brother wouldn’t talk to Croatian sister-in-law. Bosnian mother disowned Serbian son-in-law and so it went. Meanwhile, all I could do was stay glued to the TV back in the US and sink deeper in a sense of hopelessness.
Finally, one night I began channeling these deep feelings into a wordless melody. Then little by little I added words….Can you hear….? Can you feel……? I started with these feelings – sensations that the children struggling to live in this difficult time might be feeling. Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian children all felt the same feelings of confusion and sadness and it was for them that I was writing this song.
I took a long night to finish the song and I sang it for my wife and family, but that was about it. I put it away for awhile never thinking to sing it publicly. Then one night, as I struggled to fill a 2-hour concert, I decided to sing “Prayer of the Children.” I’m not sure, but I think it was 1994. The song had an immediate reaction on those in attendance and I was surprised at the almost hushed sound as I sang.”
The interpretation (signing) is being done by my daughter, Emili Bruce. She is a junior, Arts & Humanities Major at Freed-Hardeman University.
Can you hear the prayer of the children?
On bended knee, in the shadow of an unknown room
Empty eyes with no more tears to cry
Turning heavenward toward the light
Crying Jesus*, help me
To see the morning light-of one more day
But if I should die before I wake,
I pray my soul to take
Can you feel the hearts of the children?
Aching for home, for something of their very own
Reaching hands, with nothing to hold on to,
But hope for a better day a better day
Crying Jesus*, help me
To feel the love again in my own land
But if unknown roads lead away from home,
Give me loving arms, away from harm
Can you hear the voice of the children?
Softly pleading for silence in a shattered world?
Angry guns preach a gospel full of hate,
Blood of the innocent on their hands
Crying Jesus*, help me
To feel the sun again upon my face,
For when darkness clears I know you’re near,
Bringing peace again
Dali cujete sve djecje molitive?
(Croatian translation: ‘Can you hear all the children’s prayers?’)
Can you hear the prayer of the children?
For generations, soldier’s have marched into battle motivated by a melody of courage, strength and victory. During the United States Civil War a song was written to inspire the northern army (the Union.) But due to the songs ‘sing-ability’ the southern army (the Confederates) adopted the tune and adjusted the words to fit their own rally. The words, for the North, were a simple cry to rally the troops;
In January, the Freed-Hardeman Chorale toured North Texas during their Winter Tour. I was blessed to hear them sing most every night of the 12 day tour, and one of my favorite songs they sang was written by Kurt Bestor. In 2005, he shared the background for the song and how it was born from his frustration over the horrendous civil war and ethnic cleansing that was taking place in the former country of Yugoslavia. Having lived in this war-torn country during the 70’s, he grew up loving the people with whom he lived and served. The following is a portion of his explanation behind “Prayer of the Children…”
with these feelings – sensations that the children struggling to live in this difficult time might be feeling. Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian children all felt the same feelings of confusion and sadness and it was for them that I was writing this song.