West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1895-05-30

fair to become a GEORGE r. ROOT
permanenc heritage OF tho struggle brief
mention may DO here made
Opinions viii vary as TO tho degree Of
their popularity or order OF merit. but sew
eral viii always retain their old ring and
make tho pulse beat faster wherever vct-
erans of tho war aro assembled. No one,
for instance, Will dony place OF honor to
Tho Battle Cry OF Freedom" "
IL was ono OF several songs written by
George F. Root, IA composer and publisher
OF many othor beautiful songs and ballads
prior TO 1861, and was first sung by the
celebrated Hutchinson family at a mass
meeting In tho city OF Now York Mr..
Root was born IN Sheffield Mass, Aug.
30, 1920, and as an evidence OF his virilify
the incident may DO related that as recent
~ us January or the present year, a5 nil.
itary entertainment in Chicago, tho ven
erablo maker of tho worse and music, gray
haired, yet alert, was called 10 tho stnee
and in strong voice sang his own patfi-
otto rallying song AT the end OF each
verse no was chcorcd 70 tho echo, and not
content with that tho audience took tho
words out Of the mouths Of the army OF
singers and Joined enthusiastically IN tho
chorus.
The story has boon printed that during
tho desperate fight in the Wilderness, May
6, 1864, a Federal command was driven
back in disorder with heavy loss Re
forming, 10 prepared once more TO confront
tho enemy. At this moment somo Of tho
mon OF the ECrty-fifth Pennsylvania began
20 sing
Wen rally round tho nag boys, rally once
again.
The refrain was takon I'D by other reoi-
ments in line OF battle, and, with recovered
spirits, the previously dishcartonod boys
dashed back into the thick of tho fight.
The original words are as follows.
Yes, Wen rally round tho flag, boys,
Wen rally once again,
shouting the battle cry OF freedom.
We viii rally from tho hillside
We win rally from tho plain,
Shouting tho battle cry OK freedom.
CHORUS.
The Union forevorl Hurrah. boys, hurrahl
Down with fhe traitors, up with tho stars
While we raily r0und tho Gag. boys,
Rally once again,
Shouting the battle cry Of freedom
We arc springinc 60 tho caIi
or oar brothers gone before.
Shouting the battlo cry OF freedom,
And wo'l tll tho vacant ranks
With - million frccmon ore,
shouting Gao battle cry OF freedom.
We arc marching e. tho fold boys,
Going t1 tha fgiit,
Shouting tho battle cry % freedom.
And wen bear the nlorioua stars
OF the Union and too figbt
Shouting the battle cry Ok freedom.
If wo fan amid tho fray. boys.
We viii face tnom to the last,
Shouting tho battle cry Of freedom.
And our comrades brave shall hear us
As we orc rushing past.
Shouting Che battle cry OK freedom.
Another OF tho numerous war SONGS
writton by SIR Root and which acquired
popularity chat has uot got passed aw
is known wherever tho English language
IS spoken as
TRAMP, TRA8fp, TRAMP, THE BOYS ARE
MARCHING.
ln the prison coll sit.
Thinking. mother dear. OF you
And our bright and hsppy homo so far away.
And The tears fhfy GlI my Cyce
Spite of an chat can DO.
Though tTy % cheer ~ comrades and ~ gay.
cHonua
Tramp. tramp. tramp. tho boys arc marching:
Chccr up, comradce they viii come,
aud bcnerth tie starry Gag
We shall hrottha tho air. alain
~ Che free land im oar own beloved homo
IN the h.tfle front eo stood
Whom thoir aercest charge they madc,
And they swept ua oil. O. hundred men or
moro,
But before wo reached their lines
They were bclteu back. dlsmayc1
And wc heard tho cry Of vIot'ry o'cr and o'or.
50 within tho pr sor caII
Me ore whiting f,r tI. Hav
Ihat silli como to on.u uiie fHo iro1 door,
Ano Gao hollow oFe grows bright.
And the poor h.lrl .I.o.t eav.
A. To th.uE of seeing home and friends o0co
more.
Tn dihoront strain but with % pathos
that cndoarcd iho song to Thousands OF
households as we'll ns to lho boys ln canip.
the sHlDe composer vsloto
just BEFORE TuE HAT1Lg EoTHER
Jast before ilo bottle mother.
Z sos thinking mos ol sou.