As the nation marks the historic 250th anniversary of the United States Army with national ceremonies, military parades, and civic commemorations, a major new sacred work has been officially released to honor the oldest military branch’s enduring spiritual legacy.
Renowned composer and retired Army Chaplain James F. Linzey has unveiled “The United States Army Hymn” (subtitled “Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer”), an original sacred composition written specifically to serve as a dedicated hymn for the United States Army. In tandem with this release, Linzey has officially introduced “The Six United States Military Hymns Medley,” a comprehensive masterwork that seamlessly integrates the new Army Hymn alongside the other five hymns of the United States Armed Forces.
The standalone Army Hymn features moving original lyrics by Linzey set to the beloved 1861 hymn tune EVENTIDE, composed by distinguished English church musician William Henry Monk. While the U.S. Navy long ago adopted its iconic anthem “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” and the Army traditionally marches to its official service song, “The Army Goes Rolling Along,” the Army has lacked a widely recognized sacred hymn devoted to its spiritual heritage. Linzey composed “The United States Army Hymn” to bridge this structural gap. The powerful SATB choral work is perfectly suited for chapel services, veterans’ ceremonies, patriotic observances, memorial events, and community choir performances during this historic semiquincentennial season.
“The U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary is more than a celebration of military readiness—it is a tribute to two and a half centuries of courage, sacrifice, and the enduring faith of the soldiers who have stepped onto the front lines,” said Linzey. “‘The United States Army Hymn’ gives soldiers, veterans, and military families a sacred musical legacy reflecting devotion to duty, honor, and country.”
Commissioned by Southern Baptist Commander Don Biadog, Chaplain Corps, U.S. Navy (Ret.), and composed by fellow Southern Baptist retired Army Chaplain James F. Linzey, the hymn was written on June 14, 2024, in remembrance of the famed “Four Immortal Chaplains” of World War II. As their ship, the USAT Dorchester, sank in the icy North Atlantic after being torpedoed by a German submarine, the four chaplains famously gave their own life jackets to fellow soldiers and prayed together as the vessel went down. The chaplains—Methodist minister Reverend George L. Fox, Reform Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, Catholic priest Father John P. Washington, and Reformed Church in America minister Reverend Clark V. Poling—were posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart for extraordinary heroism.
Following a two-year period of selective pre-releases and initial adoption within military chapel communities, the hymn and the comprehensive six-branch medley are now receiving their first broad national public release in conjunction with the Army’s 250th anniversary milestones. This debut follows the success of Linzey’s earlier composition, The United States Space Force Hymn, “Creator of the Universe,” which has been adopted across faith-based and military major media networks and military chapel communities as the preeminent hymn of the Space Force. Building upon that foundation as a leading contemporary composer of American military hymns, Linzey’s release of both the Army Hymn and the multi-branch medley provides a historic musical contribution to American military tradition.
The new arrangements feature rich traditional four-part harmonies structured for rapid integration by civilian church choirs, military chapels, ROTC programs, veterans organizations, schools, and community choruses. Free downloadable sheet music, performance resources, and choral materials are available at ArmyHymn.com and UnitedStatesSpaceForce.ai, alongside expanded digital distribution through major music platforms, including Sheet Music Direct. The public is welcome to freely use, copy, perform, re-arrange, and record the music.
About the Composer
James F. Linzey is a retired U.S. Army Chaplain (Major), composer, author, and Bible translator who previously served as a U.S. Air Force Captain. He is best known for composing The United States Space Force Hymn, “Creator of the Universe.” His latest works include the newly released “The United States Army Hymn” (“Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer”) and “The Six United States Military Hymns Medley,” which honors all branches of the United States Armed Forces.
(SOURCE: Christian Newswire)