Battle Cry of Freedom
Words and Music by George F. Root

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This was perhaps the most effective Northern rallying song of the American Civil War.  It was sung by soldiers in the field as well as by citizens at home.  George Frederick Root (1820-1895) was a popular and prolific song writer as well as a partner in the firm of Root & Cady of Chicago, Illinois, which published this song in 1862.

"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 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 of our brothers gone before,
Shouting the battle cry of Freedom,
And we'll fill the vacant ranks with a million Free men more,
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)

"Sp 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)

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This page Copyright by Scott Cantwell Meeker of Deep Vee Productions.
All Rights Reserved. Created March 28, 2000.  Last updated August 4, 2002.