Lesson Plan-Civil War Music

"Battle Cry for Freedom"
Lesson Plan

Grade Level:
5-12 grades

Utah State Standard
Social Studies
Standard 9 Students will understand the significance of the Civil War Era to the United
States.
Lang. ArtsStandard 2 (Writing): Students will write informational and literary text to reflect
on and recreate experiences, report observations, and persuade others

Materials:
1. Venn diagram
2. Lyrics to “Battle Cry for Freedom” (overheads) North/South
3. Lyrics for “Battle Cry for Freedom” both the North/South
4. CD Player or computer hooked up to internet
5. Rubric

Objective:
1. Students will interpret both the South and the North usage of the song “Battle Cry for
Freedom”
2. Students will complete a Venn diagram to deter-mine the differences/similarities of a
Civil War Song.
3. Students will compose a letter and identify > 5 fact/view point of either the South or the
North.

Background:
The North and the South both used music to rally troops, as recruiting songs, marching songs,
recreation songs, patriotic songs, etc. Often they used the same tunes and even the same
lyrics. Sheet music was as popular then as CD’s are now.

Activity:
1. Hand out a copy of the Battle Cry for Freedom (North).
2. Using the overhead of the Battle Cry for Freedom (North), interpret each of the verses
and chorus.
3. Do the same with the Southern lyrics.
4. Play both versions of the Battle Cry for Freedom.
5. Discuss the feelings the students feel during each version of the song.
6. Hand out a Venn diagram to each student and create a Venn diagram on the
whiteboard.
7. Pair up the students and have them complete their Venn diagram as a team
determining differences and similarities.
8. As a big group have each pair of students contribute differences and similarities of the
song Battle Cry for Freedom. Fill in the Venn diagram on the whiteboard.
9. Direct each student to choose either the North or the South and compose a letter home
expressing > 5 view points/facts of the war.

Evaluation:
1. Completion of the Venn diagram
2. Completion of the letter with > 5 view points/facts that state understanding of the side
they picked (N or S) (See Rubric)

Extension of lesson:
1. Have students research to come up with a list of songs used by the North and/or the
South.
2. Have the students write their own lyrics to The Battle Cry for Freedom.
3. Have the students research other songs that both the North and the South used and
complete a Venn diagram.

THE BATTLE CRY OF FREEDOM
by George F. Root
Union
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.

CHORUS: The Union forever,
Hurrah! boys, hurrah!
Down with the traitors,
Up with the stars;
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.--CHORUS

We will welcome to our numbers
The loyal, true and brave,
Shouting the battle cry of Freedom;
And although they may be poor,
Not a man shall be a slave,
Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.--CHORUS

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 that we love best,
Shouting the battle cry of Freedom.--CHORUS

THE BATTLE CRY OF FREEDOM
Music by George F. Root
Confederate

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 tyrants we'll not yield!"
Shout, shout the battle cry of Freedom!--CHORUS


Answers to the Venn Diagram

South Both North
“the bonny flag” Emotions of loyalty & patriotism “Up with the stars”
“Our Dixie forever!” Fighting for a cause “…not a man shall be a slave”
“Down with the eagle, “Rally round the flag” “…a million free men more”
and up with the cross!”
“Resistance, To tyrants never yield!” “The Union forever?
“…from the East and from
the West”
Rubric

4 The student has demonstrated a detailed understanding
of the American Civil War by including >5 different facts
or points of view in the form of a letter.

3 The student has demonstrated a understanding of the
American Civil War by including 4 different facts or points
of view in the form of a letter.

2 The student has demonstrated an incomplete understanding
of the American Civil War by including 3 different facts or
points of view in the form of a letter.

1 The student has a demonstrated minimal understanding
of the American Civil War by including 2 different facts or
points of view in the form of a letter.

0 The student has not demonstrated an understanding of the
American Civil War by including 1-0 facts or points of view
in the form of a letter or did not complete the assignment.