The Battle Cry of Freedom (1862)

Words and music by George F. Root

Words to the "Rallying Song" and the "Battle Song," Sheet Music, and MIDI Files

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The "Rallying Song"

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.

(Refrain/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 &tc.
And we'll fill the vacant ranks with a million freemen more,
Shouting &tc.

Refrain.

We will welcome to our numbers the loyal, true and brave,
Shouting &tc.
And although they may be poor, not a man shall be a slave,
Shouting &tc.

Refrain.

So, we're springing to the call from the East and from the West,
Shouting &tc.
And we'll hurl the rebel crew from the land we love the best,
Shouting &tc.

Refrain.

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The "Battle Song"

We are marching to the field, boys, we're going to the fight,
Shouting &tc.
And we bear the glorious stars for the Union and the right,
Shouting &tc.

(Refrain/Chorus)
The Union forever, Hurrah! boys, Hurrah!
Down with the traitor, up with the star,
For we're marching to the field boys, going to the fight,
Shouting the battle-cry of freedom.

We will meet the rebel host, boys, with fearless heart and true,
Shouting &tc.
And we'll show what Uncle Sam has for loyal men to do,
Shouting &tc.

Refrain.

If we fall amid the fray, boys, we'll face them to the last,
Shouting &tc.
And our comrads brave shall hear us, as they go rushing past,
Shouting &tc.

Refrain.

Yes, for Liberty and Union we're springing to the fight,
Shouting &tc.
And the vict'ry shall be ours, for we're rising in our might,
Shouting &tc.

Refrain.

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Sheet Music

All files are 16-color, grayscale GIFs, and 800 pixels wide. They are each approximately 1100 pixels tall but vary somewhat.

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This page was last edited on Thursday, February 17, 2000 .
All materials copyright © 2000 Anthony D. Becker,