Battle Cry of Freedom

Bottleneck slide on a National Steel Guitar.

BATTLE CRY OF FREEDOM 1862

Battle Cry of Freedom, by American composer George F. Root, was one of two important songs inspired by Lincoln’s call for volunteers on July 2, 1862. Stirred by the President’s call, Root hastily wrote the words and music one afternoon at his Chicago office. The song became so popular, the music publisher was said to have had fourteen printing presses going at one time and still could not keep up with demand. It is estimated that over 700,000 copies of this song were put in circulation. Root also wrote the moving song, The Vacant Chair.