Battle Cry of Freedom

Battle Cry of Freedom est une chanson écrite en 1862 par le compositeur américain George Frederick Root (1825–1895), durant la Guerre de Sécession.

Histoire[modifier | modifier le code]

Chanson patriotique prônant la cause de l'Union, elle devint si populaire que le compositeur H. L. Schreiner et le parolier W. H. Barnes l'adaptèrent pour les États confédérés d'Amérique. La version de l'Union fut employée comme chanson de campagne pour le ticket Lincoln-Johnson lors de l'élection présidentielle de 1864. La chanson était si populaire que l'éditeur de musique avait 14 presses typographiques allant en même temps et qu'il ne pouvait toujours pas fournir assez tant la demande était forte. Il est estimé que plus de 700 000 exemplaires de cette chanson ont été mises en circulation.

Paroles (version de l'Union)[modifier | modifier le code]

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)
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 our vacant ranks with a million free men more,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!

Refrain

We will welcome to our numbers the loyal, true and brave,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!
And although he may be poor, not a man shall be a slave,
Shouting the battle cry of freedom!

Refrain

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!

Refrain

Paroles (version de la Confédération)[modifier | modifier le code]

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!

(Refrain)
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!--

Refrain

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!--

Refrain

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!--

Refrain

Refrain (de la campagne électorale de 1864)[modifier | modifier le code]

For Lincoln and Johnson, hurrah, boys, hurrah!
Down with the rebellion and on with the war,
While we rally round the cause, boys, we'll rally in our might,
Singing the holy cause of freemen.