Julia Ward Howe Autograph Quotation From The Battle Hymn of the Republic Twice Signed. One page of a bifolium, 7.75" x 10", Boston, November 17, 1881. Written twenty years early, poet Julia Ward Howe transmits this transcription of stanza five from her famous poem turned song, in full:

"In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born
across the sea,
With a glory in his bosom that transfigures
you and me;
As he died to make men holy, let us die
to make men free, 
While God is marching on."

At the upper corner of page four, Howe has placed a short note to the recipient, a man in New York, thanking him "for your kind letter. I send the enclosed with pleasure. [signed] J.W.H." Usual folds. Some very light toning along the upper margin.

First composed in 1860 (according to a notation by Howe in this transcription), the poem was placed to music, using the tune from the popular song, John Brown's Body, and was published in February 1862. It was an instant hit and has remained a popular American patriotic song to this day.