This week we are literally discussing the theme song to this podcast. It became synonymous with the Civil War, and in the years and centuries since it has been adapted, sampled, covered and repurposed in just about every way possible, by musicians, politicians, sports teams and more. So today I am asking… what is the Battle Hymn of the Republic? To discuss this I am joined by Thomas Smith, Professor of American Literature and Culture and Deputy Director of Area Studies at the University of East Anglia. And our special guest is Catherine Bateson, an Associate Professor of American History at the University of Kent, and also the author of Irish American Civil War Songs: Identity, Loyalty, and Nationhood, which we will link to in the show notes. Mentioned in this episode: BOOK: Irish American Civil War Songs: Identity, Loyalty, and Nationhood by Catherine Bateson SONG: An American Trilogy by Elvis Presley POEM: Battle Hymn of the Republic by Julia Ward Howe SONG: John Brown’s Body SONG: Glory, Glory, Hallelujah by the London Community Gospel Choir SONG: Glory Glory Man. United If you enjoy this podcast, please follow and recommend to a friend, or leave a review so other people can find us. Alternatively, if you have a guest or episode suggestion, please email the show at [email protected] And for those of you still using Twitter, connect with us @thisistheheff and @AmericanStudies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices