It’s called “Mansions of the Lord.” The words were written by Randall Wallace, who wrote and directed the film, and the music was composed by Nick Glennie-Smith.
For the film, it was sung by the United States Military Academy Cadet Glee Club, the choir of West Point, together with a group called Metro Voices.
The hymn is a prayer for soldiers who have fallen in battle. It is based on the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John: “In my Father’s house are many mansions.”
“To fallen soldiers let us sing,” it begins, “where no rockets fly nor bullets wing. Our broken brothers let us bring to the Mansions of the Lord.”
In 2004, the hymn was the recessional at the funeral of President Ronald Reagan, sung by the Armed Forces Chorus.
In this video, the West Point cadets sing it in their own chapel, in their gray uniforms, beneath tall stained-glass windows. It was filmed for a production called Stand Ye Steady, which honors the U.S. Armed Forces past and present. Many of the Glee Club’s fans call this hymn its signature song.
The cadets sing it slowly and with great reverence. Many of these young men and women would go on to serve their country themselves.
“Where no mothers cry and no children weep,” they sing, “we will stand and guard though the angels sleep.”
It is a beautiful way to honor all who have served, and all who never came home.
Do you have a loved one who served? Share this hymn in their honor.