The Tune

To make sure the song would be easy to sing, the lyrics were first written to fit a hymn tune called EVENTIDE by William H. Monk. This tune is most often paired with the hymn “Abide with Me.” Many admirers consider EVENTIDE to be one of the most beautiful hymn tunes ever written, and “Abide with Me” has long been a favorite hymn of the Kim family.

As a tribute to this musical heritage, the melody for the final line of the chorus and the title phrase, “Home of the genuine, this Battle Ground,” echoes the final line of EVENTIDE. The chorus also shares its rhythm and pattern of stressed syllables with another famous tune, FINLANDIA by Jean Sibelius. Sibelius wrote FINLANDIA as a patriotic protest against censorship in Finland when the country was still part of the Russian Empire. In fact, the verses of Home of the Genuine can be sung quite naturally to both of these tunes.

As beautiful and dignified as these older tunes are, a modern anthem for Battle Ground needs its own sound. It should honor the heritage of patriotic songs such as the Star-Spangled Banner, but at the same time, it should be welcoming and easy for both children and adults to sing today.

The tune seeks to bring these ideas together. It combines the solemn dignity of the past with the syncopated heartbeat of the living present.

The Hope

The hope is that this song will become part of the public life of Battle Ground. It is meant to be sung by children at home and at school, played by marching bands on Main Street, and performed at civic events throughout the community, becoming a regular heartbeat for vital community. Above all, it is intended to inspire a lasting love for the Home of the Genuine, this Battle Ground.

The Tunesmith

The original music was written by Judah Kim, a 20-year-old tunesmith. He is known as “The Piano Man” at a local assisted-living facility, where he has played piano for residents every week for many years. He also accompanies sings with a local youth choir.