When Casablanca was released in January, 1943, World War II was not at all decided. Stalingrad was aggressively pulling out of its seige, but the city's fate was still at issue. D-Day was a year and a half away. In the face of present danger from mindless, brutal aggression, this powerful musical moment asserted that there was hope, and devotion, and most importantly, freedom.
When we sing hymns, we know that the issue is not yet decided. Our salvation is not fully assured--although it has been promised. We sing in protest, and in hope. And somehow, in our singing, we are fighting the war.
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