Simeon's hymn( set to the tune of "Battle hymn of the republic")

 Being  a tri-citizen (Origin and destination Heaven, born in the USA, and live in New Zealand) I grew up hearing the Battle hymn in marching songs and my favourite version is during an Elvis Presley medley in a live performance. Because my father and Elvis were friends it makes sense that this is my favorite version. I started researching this song because my daily Bible study came to the passage in Luke where Simeon sings basically the same intro when he held the baby Jesus in his arms in the temple courts. Since Simeon sang these words long before Julia Ward Howe penned her version during the American Civil War, I wrote lyrics from Simeon's perspective. It's called:

Simeon's Hymn

Mine eyes have seen salvation of the coming of the Lord

You may now dismiss me for I've now held Your Own accord

You've prepared Yourself in Jesus 

You've revealed Yourself as Light 

You're truth to all mankind 

Glory, glory hallelujah 

Glory, glory hallelujah 

You're truth to all mankind 

God, as you've promised I now can die in peace 

I've seen Your revelation, I've seen republic cease 

The rising and the falling of the many in the land 

Your sign has withstood man 

Glory, glory hallelujah 

Glory, glory hallelujah 

You're truth to all mankind 

You've revealed the thoughts and actions of the people in Your hand 

You've used Your Sword to pierce our souls throughout all time and land 

You have brought me to this precious place where I clearly hold Your hand 

Your truth to all mankind 

Glory, glory hallelujah 

Glory, glory hallelujah 

You're truth to all mankind 

I can now confirm with Anna that Your Truth protects us all 

She'll confirm what she has seen in her final call 

We're just part of Your story, redeeming from The Fall 

You're Truth to all mankind 

Glory, glory hallelujah 

Glory, glory hallelujah 

You're Truth to all mankind 

I'm watching as Your family walk away to Galilee 

You've set Your Word in Anna and You've set Your Word in me 

I'm happy now, contented, brought to sight from blind 

You're Truth to all mankind 

Glory, glory hallelujah 

Glory, glory hallelujah 

You're Truth to all mankind 

Glory, glory hallelujah 

Glory, glory hallelujah 

You're Truth to all mankind. 

Luke 2:25-40

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you may now dismiss your servant in peace.

For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.