Introduction

Soon after George F. Root’s publication of the immensely popular “The Battle Cry of Freedom,” lyricist William H. Barnes, the manager of the Atlanta Amateurs, a group of volunteer musicians who performed for the benefit of various soldiers’ relief funds, produced a Southern version, for which the composer Hermann L. Schreiner modified Root’s music.

Like Root’s original, this Southern version makes “Freedom” its battle cry. How can both sides be crying “Freedom”? Do they understand the same thing by “freedom”? Where the Northern version says, “Down with the traitor,” the Southern version says “Down with the eagle,” and speaks of the motto of resistance—“To the tyrants we’ll not yield!” Do these differences point to different reasons for why these men are fighting?

For a musical rendition, click here.

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!

(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,
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!

(Chorus)

They have laid down their lives on the bloody battle field.
Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!
Their motto is resistance—“To the tyrants we’ll not yield!”
Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!

(Chorus)

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!

Return to The Meaning of Memorial Day.