Battle Cry of Freedom Union Version: By George F. Root (1820-1895) 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, 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 our 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 they may be poor, Not a man shall 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 that we love best, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.--CHORUS
Battle Cry of Freedom Confederate Version: By George F. Root (1820-1895) Our flag is proudly floating On the land and on the main, Beneath it oft we've conquered, And we'll conquer oft again! 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, Our gallant boys have marched To the rolling of the drums, And the leaders in charge cry out, "Come, boys, come!" --CHORUS They have laid down their lives On the bloody battle field, Their motto is resistance -- "To tyrants we'll not yield!" --CHORUS While our boys have responded And to the fields have gone, Our noble women also Have aided them at home, --CHORUS
Compare the lyrics for" Battle Cry of Freedom", and answer the following questions. 1. In the first stanzas of the two versions of the song, what seems to be the main difference between them? 2. What does the Southern version mean by "Down with the Eagle, And Up with the Cross"? 3. Summarize the meaning of the third stanza of the Northern version of the song, which begins, "We will welcome to our numbers " 4. How do you think the Southern version of the song symbolizes the Confederate cause? 5. How do you think the Northern version of the song symbolizes the Union cause?
Union Dixie: Away down South in the land of traitors, Rattlesnakes and alligators, Where cotton's king and men are chattels, Union boys will win the battles, CHORUS: Then we'll all go down to Dixie, Each Dixie boy must understand That he must mind his Uncle Sam, I wish I was in Baltimore, I'd make Secession traitors roar, We'll put the traitors all to rout. I'll bet my boots we'll whip them out, CHORUS: Then they'll wish they were in Dixie, Each Dixie boy must understand That he must mind his Uncle Sam, Oh, may our Stars and Stripes still wave Forever o'er the free and brave, And let our motto ever be -- "For Union and for Liberty!" CHORUS: Then they'll wish they were in Dixie, Each Dixie boy must understand That he must mind his Uncle Sam,
Dixie s Land: I wish I was in the land of cotton, Old times there are not forgotten; In Dixie's Land where I was born in, Early on one frosty morning, CHORUS: Then I wish I was in Dixie! Hooray! Hooray! In Dixie's Land I'll take my stand, to live and die in Dixie! Away! Away! Away down South in Dixie! Away! Away! Away down South in Dixie! Old Missus married "Will the Weaver"; William was a gay deceiver! But when he put his arm around her, Smiled as fierce as a forty-pounder! --CHORUS His face was sharp as a butcher's cleaver; But that did not seem to grieve her! Old Missus acted the foolish part And died for a man that broke her heart! --CHORUS Now here's a health to the next old missus And all the gals that want to kiss us! But if you want to drive away sorrow, Come and hear this song tomorrow! --CHORUS There's buckwheat cakes and Injin batter, Makes you fat or a little fatter! Then hoe it down and scratch your gravel, To Dixie's Land I'm bound to travel! --CHORUS
Compare the lyrics for "Dixie s Land (Dixie)" and, Union Dixie" and answer the following questions. 6. While the Confederate States of America did not have an official "national anthem" (even the North did not recognize the "Star Spangled Banner" as the nation s anthem until 1931), "Dixie s Land" (or "Dixie", as it is more commonly known) was truly a "national song". What aspects of the song might make it significant in regard to the Confederate cause? 7. How does the song "Union Dixie" (in the first stanza) describe the South? 8. While the first verse and chorus of Dixie" are well known, the rest of the song is not. Frequently, the tune is used without lyrics. Why do you think the rest of the song is obscure? 9. How could the song, "Union Dixie" be used to rally troops as a school fight song might rally the student body or athletes? Give at least three examples. 10. "Dixie" is still a well-known song in the 21st Century, while the "Union Dixie" has generally been forgotten. Speculate why this is so.
Reply to Bonnie Blue Flag : We're fighting for our Union, We're fighting for our trust, We're fighting for that happy land Where sleeps our father dust. It cannot be dissevered, Though it cost us bloody wars, We never can give up the land Where floats the stripes and stars. Chorus: Hurrah, Hurrah, For equal rights hurrah, Hurrah for the good old flag We trusted you as brothers, Until you drew the sword, With impious hands at Sumter You cut the silver cord. So now you hear the bugles, We come the sons of Mars, To rally round the brave old flag Chorus We do not want your cotton, We do not want your slaves, But rather than divide the land, We'll fill your Southern graves. With Lincoln for our chieftain, We wear our country's stars, And rally round the brave old flag Chorus We deem our cause most holy, We know we're in the right, And twenty million freemen Stand ready for the fight. Our pride is fair Columbia, No stain her beauty mars, On her we'll raise the brave old flag Chorus And when this war is over, We'll each resume our home, And treat you still as brothers, Where ever you may roam. We'll pledge the hand of friendship, And think no more of war, But dwell in peace beneath the flag Chorus
Bonnie Blue Flag: We are a band of brothers And native to the soil, Fighting for the property We gained by honest toil; And when our rights were threatened, The cry rose near and far-- "Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star!" CHORUS: Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights hurrah! Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star. As long as the Union Was faithful to her trust, Like friends and like brothers Both kind were we and just; But now, when Northern treachery Attempts our rights to mar, We hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star.--chorus First gallant South Carolina Nobly made the stand, Then came Alabama, Who took her by the hand. Next quickly Mississippi, Georgia and Florida All raised on high the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star.--chorus That bears a single star.--chorus And here's to old Virginia-- The Old Dominion State-- Who with the young Confederacy At length has linked her fate; Impelled by her example, Now other states prepare To hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star.--chorus Then cheer, boys, cheer; Raise the joyous shout, For Arkansas and North Carolina Now have both gone out; And let another rousing cheer For Tennessee be given, The single star of the Bonnie Blue Flag Has grown to be eleven.--chorus Then here's to our Confederacy, Strong are we and brave; Like patriots of old we'll fight Our heritage to save. And rather than submit to shame, To die we would prefer; So cheer for the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star. CHORUS Ye men of valor, gather round The banner of the right; Texas and fair Louisiana Join us in the fight. Davis, our loved president, And Stephens s statesman are; Now rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag
Compare Reply to Bonnie Blue Flag and Bonnie Blue Flag and answer the following questions. 11. Bonnie Blue Flag was a Southern battle war in which the Union supporters issued a rebuttal. Each song states the things for which they are fighting. What are they? 12. Bonnie Blue Flag uses lyrics to applaud the secession efforts of the South. Was there an order of secession? If so, explain the order and why you think it occurred this way. 13. Each version of the song has a completely different tone. Describe the tone of each version and explain why there is a difference. 14. Historically, both sides of the Civil War felt they were justified in their actions. Forgetting actual facts and solely focusing on these song lyrics, which side would you support and why? 15. Bonnie Blue Flag mentions nothing of how things will be once the war is over. Reply to Bonnie Blue Flag however, discusses life after the war. How did the Union plan to deal with the South once the war had ended?