Rally Round the Cause, Boys

AIR: "Battle Cry of Freedom"

The excitement of George F. Root's "Battle Cry of Freedom" and the powerful lyrics of destiny and purpose make "Rally Round the Cause Boys" one of the better songs of the Abraham Lincoln song catalog in 1864. The song is somewhat reminiscent of the songs that the Hutchinson family (a traveling musical abolitionist group) wrote for the Lincoln and Hamlin campaign in 1860. These lyrics make mention of General Grant, who replaced McClellan, and observes that "cries of peace" really resemble the words of the enemy-- "rebel cant.” This song is written for a religious population, claiming that "heaven gives us life." The song also references the "Wide Awakes," one of the popular Abraham Lincoln political clubs responsible for generating enthusiasm for the candidate and turning out the vote.
 

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