The Old Testament book of Joshua, chapter 6, records the amazing account of the Israelite army overthrowing the city of Jericho. This fascinating story shows how keeping the commandments lead to the fulfillment of God’s promises.

In the biblical account, we learn that God spoke to Joshua and told him to march around the city with his army once every day for six days. On the seventh day, God told him to march around the city seven times while the priests blew their ram’s horn trumpets. At the sound of the trumpets, Joshua told the people to shout, as God had commanded them to do. When they shouted “with a great shout” (verse 20), the walls fell down, and Joshua’s army took the city.

It is believed that slaves composed the song in the early 19th century, and it was first recorded by Harrod’s Jubilee Singers in 1922. Moses Hogan, a composer and arranger who was acclaimed for his arrangements of African-American spirituals, arranged the Choir’s rendition in the video below. Many of his arrangements have been used by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, including “I Want Jesus to Walk With Me,” “Old Time Religion,” and “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit.” Watch the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing the hauntingly beautiful a cappella spiritual “The Battle of Jericho.”

The Battle of Jericho (Lyrics)

Joshua fit the battle, the battle of Jericho

Joshua fit the battle, the battle of Jericho

Joshua fit the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho

Joshua fit the battle of Jericho and the walls come tumbling down

Joshua fit the battle, the battle of Jericho

Joshua fit the battle, the battle of Jericho

Joshua fit the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho

Joshua fit the battle of Jericho and the walls come tumbling down

Joshua fit the battle, the battle of Jericho

Joshua fit the battle, the battle of Jericho

Talk about your kings of Gideon,

Talk about your men of Saul

But none like good old Joshua

And the battle of Jericho.

That morning Joshua fit the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho

Joshua fit the battle of Jericho and the walls come tumbling down

Joshua fit the battle, the battle of Jericho

Joshua fit the battle, the battle of Jericho

Right up to the walls of Jericho

He marched with spear in hand,

"Go blow that ram horn," Joshua cried,

"Cause the battle am in my hand."

God almighty then the lamb ram sheep horn begins to blow,

And the trumpets began to sound,

And Joshua commanded the children to shout!

And the walls come a tumbling down.

Oh Lord, you know that Joshua fit the battle, the battle of Jericho

Joshua fit the battle, the battle of Jericho

Joshua fit the battle, the battle of Jericho

The walls come tumbling down

Oh Lord, you know that Joshua fit the battle, the battle of Jericho

Joshua fit the battle, the battle of Jericho

Joshua fit the battle, the battle of Jericho

The walls come tumbling down