This is a new hymn setting of "Do What Is Right". Usually showing anonymous text authorship from The Psalms of Life, Boston (1857), 2018 research shows the text as a poem in the October 17, 1850 issue of National Era (an abolitionist newspaper), on page 167, with authorship of “J. C. S. of Coatesville, Pennsylvania” – possibly John Clemson Sharpless. “Battle for freedom” aptly describes overcoming slavery. In the hymn context, messages also include:
Moral Agency: Fighting the "shackles" of sin, addiction, or social pressure.
Courage: Standing by one's convictions regardless of the consequences.
Divine Support: The belief that God protects those who "battle" to live righteously.
The text had been paired with music written decades earlier by George Kiallmark, meaning the music was not written for the text. Goals for this setting were to feature the text by various means and create something fun to sing while conveying the importance of doing what is right. Watch for some text-painting in the music, like the unchanging notes and rhythm of the first four chords. While the pattern is peculiar, it symbolizes a “straight-and-narrow” way that, like the commandments, may seem boring or non-colorful but in reality leads to the greatest freedom and opportunity. Even with that and with the verse being rhythmically simple, the music has a lot of texture and color. This parallels the richness in life that can occur when doing what is right. The melody for “God will protect you” symbolizes a “wrapping” of protection – the melody on the phrase goes up, down, and around to represent how the protection can come from above, below, or all around us.
Doing what is right truly is a “battle for freedom” – the songs based on this text can be helpful to recall when needed to help people in the choices they make and the actions they take.
I have English, Spanish, and Tagalog versions of this song.
The sheet music is not yet available for this song. Please contact me if you are interested in performing it. This song may be purchased by clicking the "Add to Cart" button above to the right, selecting the desired quantity (minimum order is 4 copies), and following the Checkout process. Shipping & handling is calculated at the cart page based on location. USPS Priority Mail may be specified at checkout. A low-resolution version of the sheet music may be downloaded below.