I'm binge-watching Ken Burns' "The Civil War"

[Recursion]

One thing I love is that Burns uses the actual original text of The Battle Hymn of the Republic.

"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:
His truth is marching on."

That text is hard to find in modern recordings. It's generally changed to "As He died to make men holy let us live to make men free." But that's not what the battle hymn was originally about.

Also, seriously, this was an amazing series. An example of why public broadcasting will always exceed private broadcasting in programming quality.

[Arkansas Granny]

1. I love Ken Burns. My favorite was the Lewis and Clark expedition.

They have all been good.

[left on green only]

2. I guess I am really over the hill.....

.....because the original lyrics are the only ones I know, as the result of endless repetition to my ears as a child.

BTW: I really OD'd on Ken Burns movie about Lewis & Clark. Upon viewing it, such was my enjoyment and enthusiasm that I went out and purchased the music sound track to his film, as well as every other film on that topic that was then available, including The Journey Of Sacagawea (LOL).

Yes, Ken Burns would be welcome to dine at my table any time.

[Morning Dew]

3. You are lucky.

I wish I could see it again for the first time.

[lpbk2713]

4. One of Ken Burns' best works. And he's done many.

And I love the way Shelby Foote tells his stories.

[Recursion]

11. I miss Shelby Foote. He came and talked at my high school back in the day.

I know it's old-fashioned and has problems, but he had a way of reminding everyone that history is ultimately about stories. And, man, that guy could tell a story.

[bemildred]

5. Great hymn, The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Thanks. nt

[Recursion]

6. Here's a performance we all own

[bemildred]

7. Thanks, but I rarely do video on the web and I'm deaf in one ear. I like the verses.

It makes me feel better knowing about all those people who were willing to die to free their fellow humans. Maybe we aren't so bad.

[MadrasT]

8. That was amazing.

Thank you.

[Little_Wing]

9. How anyone could consider the Confederate Flag a positive symbol of patriotism

after watching this revelatory series is beyond imagining. How can people be so delusional?

Also: love the haunting "Ashokan Farewell" to the point of tears whenever I hear it. Heartbreaking soundtrack in every respect.

[Recursion]

10. They did the fiddle solo in one take. It was intended as a sound check.

One of my favorite studio stories about that. It's actually not a Civil War-era song at all; it was written by Jay Ungar and he played it just to make sure his fiddle was in tune. Fortunately the tape was rolling. Ken listened to the dailies and said "we're not going to get a better take than that" and used it in the final.

[Drunken Irishman]

12. I am not a fan of overly religious music, but the Battle Hymn of the Republic gives me goosebumps.

This was an exceptional version at Pres. Obama's second inauguration:

You'll notice it has the original lyrics - as He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free.