Battle Hymn of the Republic(ans)

[JHB]

I've just recently come across Mark Twain's "The Battle Hymn of the Republic, Updated", written in satire of the war and occupation of the Philippines following the Spanish-American War. The analogies to the current mess are all too evident. Twain never knew Halliburton, KBR, and the rest, but he'd recognize them in an instant.


The Battle Hymn of the Republic, Updated
(to the tune of its namesake)

Mine eyes have seen the orgy of the launching of the Sword;
He is searching out the hoardings where the stranger's wealth is stored;
He hath loosed his fateful lightnings, and with woe and death has scored;
His lust is marching on.

I have seen him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps;
They have builded him an altar in the Eastern dews and damps;
I have read his doomful mission by the dim and flaring lamps—
His night is marching on.

I have read his bandit gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with my pretensions, so with you my wrath shall deal;
Let the faithless son of Freedom crush the patriot with his heel;
Lo, Greed is marching on!"

We have legalized the strumpet and are guarding her retreat;*
Greed is seeking out commercial souls before his judgement seat;
O, be swift, ye clods, to answer him! be jubilant my feet!
Our god is marching on!

In a sordid slime harmonious Greed was born in yonder ditch,
With a longing in his bosom—and for others' goods an itch.
As Christ died to make men holy, let men die to make us rich—
Our god is marching on.

* NOTE: In Manila the Government has placed a certain industry under the protection of our flag. (M.T.)



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Battle_Hymn_of_the_Republic%2C_Updated

[Demeter]

1. Good Find!

Just to show that it's all happened before--and the lesson wasn't learned then and won't be now, either.

[LeftishBrit]

2. Good stuff and SCARILY relevant!