Tom, I’m sure you won’t be surprised to learn that Rush Limbaugh absolutely loved the playing of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” during the pope’s visit and was so moved by it that he kept playing it on his show. He even took a call from President Bush on the air Friday–on a show that he frequently reminds us does not have guests despite the fact that Bush, Cheney, and other administration figures have made multiple appearances on it–to slobber all over the prez for his speech and to talk about the “Battle Hymn” performance again. He even noted that while he has lost his hearing, “I can always hear God’s music. And this is God’s music . . . .”

Personally, I prefer Mark Twain’s revision from the days of America’s first overseas imperial adventure.