Battle Cry of Freedom
by George Frederick Root
Battle Hymn of the Republic, also known as Rally 'Round the Flag (1862) was composed by Root, a true New Englander, as a patriotic tribute to the causes of Unionism and abolitionism. It became so popular, the Confederacy wrote their own version (below). A verse was added to support Abraham Lincoln's presidential campaign of 1864.
Yes we'll rally round the flag, boys, we'll rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of freedom, We will rally from the hillside, we'll gather from the plain, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! (Chorus) The Union forever! Hurrah, boys, hurrah! Down with the traitors, up with the stars; While we rally round the flag, boys, we rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! We are springing to the call for three hundred thousand more, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! And we'll fill the vacant ranks of our brothers gone before, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! (Chorus) We will welcome to our numbers the loyal, true and brave, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! And although he may be poor, he shall never be a slave, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! (Chorus) So we're springing to the call from the East and from the West, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom; And we'll hurl the rebel crew from the land we love the best, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom. (Chorus)
Confederate lyrics written as a response by H.L. Schreiner and W.H. Barnes:
Our flag is proudly floating on the land and on the main, Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom! Beneath it oft we've conquered, and we'll conquer oft again! Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom! (Chorus) Our Dixie forever! She's never at a loss! Down with the eagle and up with the cross We'll rally 'round the bonny flag, we'll rally once again, Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom! Our gallant boys have marched to the rolling of the drums. Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom! And the leaders in charge cry out, "Come, boys, come!" Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom! (Chorus) They have laid down their lives on the bloody battle field. Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom! Their motto is resistance – "To the tyrants never yield!" Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom! (Chorus) While our boys have responded and to the fields have gone. Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom! Our noble women also have aided them at home. Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom! (Chorus)
A Union verse was added in support of Lincoln's presidential campaign in 1864:
For Lincoln and Johnson, hurrah, boys, hurrah! Down with the rebellion and on with the war, While we rally round the cause, boys, we'll rally in our might, Singing the holy cause of freemen.
Featured in our collection of American Patriotic Songs, which includes The Battle Hymn of the Republic. American Civil War lyrics adapted for both sides included the Confederates' unofficial anthem, I Wish I Was in Dixie, which the Union adapted with their own version. Read more in our collection of Civil War Stories
8.5
Create a library and add your favorite stories. Get started by clicking the "Add" button.
Add Battle Cry of Freedom to your own personal library.
Add Battle Cry of Freedom to your own personal library.
Return to the George Frederick Root Home Page
