Battle Cry of Freedom - Definition and Overview

"Battle Cry of Freedom" is a song written in 1862 by American composer George F. Root (1825–1895) during the American Civil War. A patriotic song advocating the cause of the Union, it became so popular that composer H. L. Schreiner and lyricist W. H. Barnes adapted it for the Confederacy, and it was used as the campaign song for the United States Republican Party in the 1864 election.

Chorus (Union version)

The Union forever, hurrah! boys, hurrah!
Down with the traitors, up with the stars;
While we rally round the flag, boys, rally once again,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom.

Chorus (Confederate version)

Our Dixie forever, she's never at a loss
Down with the eagle, up with the cross.
We'll rally round the bonnie flag, we'll rally once again.
Shout, shout the battle cry of freedom.

Chorus (1864 election campaign)

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.

References

• Irwin Silber, Songs of the Civil War, Dover, 1995.

Patriotic Music of the United States

"America the Beautiful" | "Ballad of the Green Berets" | "Battle Cry of Freedom" | "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" | "Columbia, Gem of the Ocean" | "For The Dear Old Flag, I Die" | "God Bless America" | "God Bless the USA" | "Hail to the Chief" | "The Liberty Bell" |"My Country, Tis of Thee" | "The Stars and Stripes Forever" | "The Star-Spangled Banner" | "There's a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere" | "This is My Country" | "This Land is Your Land" | "Yankee Doodle" | "You're a Grand Old Flag" | "When Johnny Comes Marching Home"