A star on the American Flag
The Battle Cry of Freedom
Recordings:
Union Version
Performance by the Weavers
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Confederate Version
Performance by Tom Roush
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Union Version Lyrics:
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! The Union forever! Hurrah, boys, hurrah! Down with the traitor, up with the star; While we rally round the flag, boys, rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! We are springing to the call with a million freemen more, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! And we’ll fill our vacant ranks of our brothers gone before, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! The Union forever! Hurrah, boys, hurrah! Down with the traitor, up with the star; While we rally round the flag, boys, rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! 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! The Union forever! Hurrah, boys, hurrah! Down with the traitor, up with the star; While we rally round the flag, boys, rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! 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 best, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! The Union forever! Hurrah, boys, hurrah! Down with the traitor, up with the star; While we rally round the flag, boys, rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of freedom! Comments: This version is much less upbeat, with a slower, more sullen beat. The main instrument in the Confederate version is the guitar, with much stronger vocals.. As you can see, there are choice words "Union," "traitor," and "freemen" are unique to the Union version of the song as The Union considered the Confederacy traitors because they seceded from the union, due to disagreements, one of which was over the issue of slavery. Both versions of the song evoke emotions in the listener, forcing him/her to consider the soldiers rushing out to war, leaving their families behind. The Union version of this song can be considered the original version of the Battle Cry of Freedom, due to the fact that it was written first, before being adapted into a Confederate version. |
Confederate version lyrics:
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! 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!-- 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! They have laid down their lives on the bloody battle field. Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom! Their motto is resistance -- “To tyrants we’ll not yield!” Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!-- 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! 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!-- 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! Comments: This version is much more upbeat, with a driving beat. The main instrument in the Union version is the banjoIn the Confederate Version, the word "Dixie" is used to describe the South, and they describe the North as "eagle." The Confederate version of the song also refers to its flag as "bonny." Both versions of the song evoke emotions in the listener, forcing him/her to consider the soldiers rushing out to war, leaving their families behind. The South's viewpoint in this song is very unique, as it truly portrays why they are fighting this war: "To Tyrants we'll (they'll) not yield." Also, the fact that the South changed so many of the lyrics from the Northern version of the song shows just how much the Confederate disagreed with what the North stood for. Even "shouting the battle cry of freedom line" was changed to "shout, shout, the battle cry of freedom. |
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Original Score of The Battle Cry of Freedom
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The Battle Cry of Freedom was written by George F. Root in 1862 during the Civil War. The song was written within the time period of one day, as President Abraham Lincoln had just called for around three hundred thousand volunteers to join the diminishing Union Army, and everyone was in frenzy. Root, who did not join these volunteers, felt that he needed to contribute to the war effort and decided to compose The Battle Cry of Freedom, a song meant to inspire and energize those going out onto the battlefield to fight the South. The success that this song achieved in inspiring people was obvious; not long after its release, there were not enough printing presses to keep up with its demand, and between 500,000 and 700,000 copies were produced. Everyone loved the song so much, that the Confederates made their own version of The Battle Cry of Freedom, with lyrics made by William H. Barnes. This song was used by the soldiers to remind them what exactly they were fighting for: a peaceful free world in which their respective families could live in. The song was so successful because its lyrics helped those on the battlefield and back at home continue their duties at full strength by telling them that what they were doing was for freedom. Today, this song tells this story, and forces the listeners to feel the emotions of the soldiers and their families during the Civil War. While playing this song in band, we should keep in mind the soldiers on the battlefield, leaving their families behind in order to fight for freedom, and the families that were left behind, wondering whether certain members of their family would ever return. Therefore, we should play this song with the abundance of energy that these soldiers possessed in the pursuit of freedom.
Bibliography:
Tubb, Benjamin R. "Civil War Music: Battle Cry of Freedom." Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.
"The Battle Cry of Freedom(confederate Version)." YouTube. YouTube, 22 Apr. 2009. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.
"Battle Cry of Freedom - Union." YouTube. YouTube, 27 July 2013. Web. 22 Oct. 2013
"The Battle Cry of Freedom." Civil War Heritage Trails. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.
This page was created by Justin B.
Tubb, Benjamin R. "Civil War Music: Battle Cry of Freedom." Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.
"The Battle Cry of Freedom(confederate Version)." YouTube. YouTube, 22 Apr. 2009. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.
"Battle Cry of Freedom - Union." YouTube. YouTube, 27 July 2013. Web. 22 Oct. 2013
"The Battle Cry of Freedom." Civil War Heritage Trails. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.
This page was created by Justin B.