“Hymns of War and Love”

Thursday, April 17, 2025

What do the tune and chorus of “Jesus Loves Me” and the patriotic Civil War song “Hold On Abraham” have in common? Both were written by the same man in 1862.

William Batchelder Bradbury, a notable figure in American hymnody, is renowned for composing timeless tunes for hymns such as: “He Leadeth Me,” “Just As I Am,” “Sweet Hour of Prayer,” “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us,” and “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less.”

However, his most enduring legacy arises from two seemingly contrasting compositions created in the tumultuous year of 1862: the beloved children’s hymn “Jesus Loves Me” and the stirring Civil War anthem “Hold On Abraham!”

Bradbury’s discovery of the poem “Jesus Loves Me” inspired him to create a simple yet powerful melody featuring the iconic chorus, “Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, The Bible tells me so,” which continues to resonate in children’s Bible classes today. 

At the same time, the nation grappled with the devastating realities of the Civil War. Following a series of significant Union losses in the battles of Shiloh, Shenandoah, Seven Pines, and the Second Battle of Bull Run, as well as during the captures of New Orleans, Norfolk, and Corinth, Lincoln called for 150,000 reinforcements, “to speedily crush the rebellion that still exists in several of the Southern states, thus practically restoring to the civilized world our great and good government.”

Eager to aid the war effort, Bradbury penned “Hold On Abraham!” This spirited tune, infused with patriotic fervor, urged Northern citizens to rally behind the Union cause, invoking images of “Father Abraham/Uncle Sam,” the “Red, White, and Blue,” and celebrating Union generals – especially the killed-in-action Major General Philip Kearney, Jr., who “fell in Dixie while fighting for us all.” Like Kearney, the song declares, “And should we fall in Dixie, we’ll die for the dear old Flag.”

The chorus states, “Hold on, Abraham, Never say die to your Uncle Sam, Uncle Sam’s boys are coming right along, Six hundred thousand strong.”

I wonder if the stark contrast in Bradbury’s work – from tender expressions of Jesus’ love to calls for martial action – reflects the complex interplay between faith and patriotism. The notion of Christ and country resonated deeply in the American psyche, often blurring the lines between spiritual and secular devotion (perhaps “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” is example #1, which originally imagined God’s wrath – through the Union Army – coming upon the South but has also been directed toward all of America’s enemies).

Thankfully, it is the message of love, not war, that defines Bradbury's lasting contribution to music. While “Hold On Abraham!” faded with the echoes of the Civil War, the simple message of "Jesus Loves Me" continues to resonate across generations and cultures. This enduring appeal speaks to a fundamental human need for comfort and connection, which transcends the temporal realm of conflict and strife.

Hold On Abraham!

1. We’re going down to Dixie, to Dixie, to Dixie

We’re going down to Dixie, to fight for the dear old Flag

And should we fall in Dixie, in Dixie, in Dixie

And should we fall in Dixie, we’ll die for the dear old Flag

Chorus

Hold on, Abraham

Never say die to your Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam’s boys are coming right along

Six hundred thousand strong

2. Our Flag shall float o’er Dixie, o’er Dixie, o’er Dixie

Our Flag shall float o’er Dixie, the Red the White and Blue

We’ll ne’er give up ’till Dixie, ’till Dixie, ’till Dixie

We’ll ne’er give up ’till Dixie, sings Yankee Doodle Doo

Chorus

3. Our Halleck’s bound for Dixie, for Dixie, for Dixie

Our Halleck’s bound for Dixie, with a million boys or two

He’ll never give up Dixie, old Dixie, old Dixie

He’ll never give up Dixie, ’till she’s back in the Union true

Chorus

4. McClellan he’s in Dixie, in Dixie, in Dixie

McClellan he’s in Dixie, and ready for the foe

Do you think he’ll give up Dixie, old Dixie, old Dixie

Do you think he’ll give up Dixie, oh, no no no no no no

Chorus

5. Bold Kearney fell in Dixie, in Dixie, in Dixie

Bold Kearney fell in Dixie, while fighting for us all

And there is Gen’ral Burnside, our Burnside, old Burnside

And there is Gen’ral Burnside, he will avenge his fall

Chorus

6. And where is Gen’ral Butler, our Butler, old Butler

And where is “Picayune Butler,” he’s gone to Dixie’s town

And there he keeps a stir’ing, a stir’ing, a stir’ing

And there he keeps a stir’ing, the Secesh up and down

Chorus

7. Brave Corcoran’s come from Dixie, from Dixie, from Dixie

Brave Corcoran’s come from Dixie, to speed the cause along

He’s going back to Dixie, to Dixie, to Dixie

He’s going back to Dixie, with a Brigade full and strong

Chorus

8. Our friends have gone to Dixie, to Dixie, to Dixie

Our friends have gone to Dixie, to fight for the dear old Flag

And we’re all going to Dixie, to Dixie, to Dixie

And we’re all going to Dixie, to stand by the dear old Flag

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