BATTLE CRY of FREEDOM by George F. Root

“The “Battle Cry of Freedom” was composed by professional song writer George F. Root for a July 1862 Chicago war rally. The rally was in support of President Abraham Lincoln‘s call for an additional 300,000 volunteers to fill the ranks of the shrinking Union Army. The song was published In 1862 by Root’s own firm Root & Cady of Chicago, and became one of the most popular Northern War songs. It was so popular that the production of 14 printing presses could not keep up with the demand. It has been estimated that approximately 500,000 copies were put in circulation.
Federal soldiers soldiers sang “Battle Cry of Freedom “ in camp, on the march and in the most desperate battlefield situations. At Vicksburg a battered Iowa regiment sang it as they struggled to regroup. During the 1864 Wilderness Battle the 45th Pennsylvania began singing it as their regiment was on the verge of defeat from Longstreet’s flank attack. “Soon the entire brigade was singing the defiant song,” wrote William Wiley of the 77th Illinois, and good order was restored.
The popularity of the tune extended into the South. “Southron’s Battle Cry of Freedom” was a parody of Root’s song. The lyricist of this version was William H. Barnes. He was the manager of an ensemble of musicians, the “Atlanta Amateurs,” who performed for the benefit of soldiers relief charities. J.C. Schreiner & Son of Macon and Savannah published this version in 1864.” - Tom DiGuiseppe, Researcher
See also: www.battlefiel...

[@corncrackerkid5092]

That feeling when a bunch of Rebs do the best rendition of Battle Cry I’ve ever heard! I hope to see y’all perform live in the future!

[@remissrain9207]

This is no doubt the best version

[@tytus7709]

Dixie forever 💪💪

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Hard to imagine a better compliment than THAT ! Thanks A LOT !!!

[@jayglier]

One thing you have to realize is that the folk/popular music of the American Civil War is amazing. Especially when you discover that each side had renditions of the others music like Dixie Land/Union Dixie and others This coming from a direct descendant of an 18th Ohio Volunteer and distant cousin to Robert E. Lee

[@MGTOWPaladin]

Johnny Reb rebelled against the North. The Union rebelled against the Constitution. The South legally seceded (according to Lincoln) and the federal government illegally invaded Dixie for money (the FOURTH-RICHEST economy in the world in 1860).

[@lSargontheGreatl]

I may be a Southerner and a Dixie boy at heart, but my mind, body and soul belong to the Republic! Glory! Glory! Glory to the Republic! What a beautiful song and a fantastic rendition.

[@davidgreene6976]

Thank you

[@TheSoleToast]

As someone from the North I appreciate you guys signing the song despite people shouting the Confederate version.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Well, we thought that, seeing as this could very well be our last concert of this kind, we should maybe do a solid for the 'other side'. Everyone knew there would be plenty of 'red meat for rebels' in the second set. And besides, without Yankees, who would we have to play with ?

[@TheSoleToast]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand I couldn't have said it any better. Much love from the North and hopefully I could see you guys come up here sometime.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

@@TheSoleToast I got news for ya, Brendan. Most of us ARE from the north, so we're already 'here'. One of us - finally, now that we're done 'touring' - is finally actually FROM South Carolina. Our band was formed out of a reenactment unit from Salem, MA, in 1989 - where it's damn hard to be Confederate (not, however, as hard as it is THESE days...).

[@TheSoleToast]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand Wow what a coincidence! I live right near Salem so that's actually really cool to hear I gotta say.

[@EverettCDavis]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand With all due respect, what does it even mean to be a confederate?

[@Swenthorian]

I love that they play Union songs, too. :)

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Thanks, Miles ! Not too bad for a "non-union" band...

[@darthwade342]

Both union and confederate civil war songs are great in my opinion

[@vincentdawg2193]

this is unity, ironic as it is

[@johnspinelli9396]

Of course, great Americans think alike

[@davidgreene6976]

You are so right Union Angel of Peace🤣🤣🤣😇🇱🇷Union single star flag.

[@mustafaalihashmi3959]

Agreed.

[@DJK-cq2uy]

Confederate ?? Pfffft hmmmmph

[@xotl2780]

To get a crowd of booing, hooting, damned secessh-sympathizers to sing a Union war song is no small feat. Bravo! Encore!

[@HistoryBoy]

Indeed Jennifer LePage!

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Trouble was - they weren't - bless their pointy little heads. And they weren't drinking either. They're basically good lads. But thanks. ! Appreciated.

[@xotl2780]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand lovely music! Shall we say 'rebels at heart' next time then?

[@JoshuaBabasa]

I'm from the Philippines, and I'm probably the only person in the eastern hemisphere listening to this. These past few days, I've been fixated with the history of the US Civil War. Putting aside the politics, thank you so much for your beautiful music.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Actually, Joshua, you have a lot more company out there than you might imagine... Thanks very much for the kind words. It's good to hear from you. Be well.

[@clarkdevera4984]

Count me in! Hurrah!

[@noynoybaqui]

Kababayan

[@joemam6405]

eyyy same here

[@hoge6493]

Eyyy kaibigan

[@alyswilliams9571]

The best selection of hats I have ever seen on a group of musicians. Glorious.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Gotta say, HATS are really important, and we have a bunch of 'em between the 6 of us. Thanks for noticing !

[@Ilovechocolatelabs]

By far the best Northern song

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Right again ! That song helped save the 2nd Corps and stem Longstreet's crushing attack on the second day in the Wilderness battle.

[@Ilovechocolatelabs]

@@Tomlin4014 haha yes that one is very very good

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

@@Ilovechocolatelabs Great melody. Lyrics... not so much... |:0 \

[@Ilovechocolatelabs]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand that is also true hahaha

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

@@Ilovechocolatelabs You might be amused to note that we actually recorded that song - and "Lincoln and Liberty Too" as well - in 1993. They both appeared on our second release, "Band of Brothers". In the three years or so that followed between that album (on audio-cassette) and the release of "Southern Soldier" in 1996, we were informed by several of our southern vendors that they had to stop carrying it in their inventory. Those two songs made it impossible to sell. And here we thought the war was over...

[@Ilovechocolatelabs]

You guys rock! You can make north or south yankee or reb sing loud and proud together! Something we all need right now

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

WOW. Amen to THAT, friend !!!

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Sat here with the tears flowing, knowing that a lot of folks on both sides need to learn that the other side is NOT their enemy. We ALL have a common enemy. Think about it and THANKS, Lads! Don't stay gone so long next time! GBWYall!

[@FultonEagle1948]

Shu You Right.

[@clintwalls9429]

Good words from a good man!!

[@davidgreene6976]

🤡 Clown saids the common enemy is your presence here.

[@Alex-yy5wo]

I like the rural band style for this song. It’s perfect

[@nathanwilliams6359]

Their music keeps me sane during this Covid crisis.

[@FultonEagle1948]

I've studied History all my life. Born and raised in Atlanta, GA, cut my historical teeth on & at the Cyclorama, Big Shanty, & Johnny Reb BBQ. You guys bring such joy to my heart with your music. THANK YOU SOooooooooooooooMuch.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Wow. Thanks a lot, James !

[@purple-headedyogurtslinger2683]

Absolutely love your music and videos. You guys bring an aspect of history to life that is often not considered. I enjoy the candle light, period clothing, crowd singing along, and hand painted sign. You deserve credit for bringing the humanity of the 1860s to life.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

WOW. Thanks ! That's been our focus for more than 20 years. Thanks a lot for picking up on that ! Means a lot.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

What a nice thing to say ! Thanks !!!

[@purple-headedyogurtslinger2683]

2nd South Carolina String Band Glad I could point it out. I’m 21 and people my age do not learn enough about their history. I recently had to explain to a friend that they did not have radios back in the civil war when he asked about why troops kept fighting after peace was declared despite “hearing about it over the radio”. If we didn’t have people like your band around we lose a piece of our story as Americans and I thank you wholeheartedly for keeping this realism alive in the 21st century.

[@bradfordwilliams9760]

Love it. Having served with fellow Americans in war I'm a loyal American first and a Texican second.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Good for you ! And thanks for your service ! God bless and Merry Christmas !!

[@metelicgunz146]

I advise everyone who likes this song to look up their version on their album Hard Road. The banjo is unlike any other version of the song and caries the song.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Well, you're absolutely right about that, metelicgunz. That was recorded in 1991 on an 8-track in a college kid's basement, played on an Aida banjo copy of a bluegrass Gibson Mastertone, 3-finger, bluegrass picking style. NOT at ALL authentic to the period. Good ear !

[@metelicgunz146]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand I noticed the Bluegrass picking when I first listened to it (banjo is one of the things I've tried to get good at in college during quarantine). The picking and faster style of the album version makes it my favorite version of Battle cry of Freedom recorded. It's my go to song whenever I show your music to my friends.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

@@metelicgunz146 Well, thanks for that ! Really. I wanted to play bluegrass banjo ever since I heard the "Beverly Hillbillies" theme, by Flatt and Scruggs, way back in the 1960's. Then, there was the Dillards on Andy Griffith's show - blew me away. Unfortunately, in the early sixties, I couldn't find anyone who knew how to play and could teach me. I became a huge fan of the Charles River Valley Boys, (Bill) Keith and Rooney, and the Lilly Brothers with Don Stover - all of whom used to play the coffee houses in the Boston area where I lived. It wasn't until Earl Scruggs published his big 'How to Play Bluegrass Banjo' book, that I began to make headway. I went on to play Scruggs-style banjo from 1968 to 1994, or so, when, as a Civil War reenactor/camp band musician, I started to learn minstrel stroke-style as well as its descendant, old-time banjo playing, which is proper for the American antebellum and war years. I still enjoy bluegrass players and their music today. In fact, our music - "Dixie's Land", and "The Bonnie Blue Flag", in particular, is being regularly featured on an internet radio bluegrass show - thebluegrassjamboree.com/show/buford-t-america-bluegrass-and-country-show/ - hosted by a fellow nicknamed "Big Hoss", from 7 to 9 pm every Saturday night, in a segment usually at 8 pm, called "The Road to Dixie." I would encourage you to check it out.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

@@metelicgunz146 Well, thanks for that ! Really. I wanted to play bluegrass banjo ever since I heard the "Beverly Hillbillies" theme, by Flatt and Scruggs, way back in the 1960's. Then, there was the Dillards on Andy Griffith's show - blew me away. Unfortunately, in the early sixties, I couldn't find anyone who knew how to play and could teach me. I became a huge fan of the Charles River Valley Boys, (Bill) Keith and Rooney, and the Lilly Brothers with Don Stover - all of whom used to play the coffee houses in the Boston area where I lived. It wasn't until Earl Scruggs published his big 'How to Play Bluegrass Banjo' book, that I began to make headway. I went on to play Scruggs-style banjo from 1968 to 1994, or so, when, as a Civil War reenactor/camp band musician, I started to learn minstrel stroke-style as well as its descendant, old-time banjo playing, which is proper for the American antebellum and war years. I still enjoy bluegrass players and their music today. In fact, our music - "Dixie's Land", and "The Bonnie Blue Flag", in particular, is being regularly featured on an internet radio bluegrass show - thebluegrassjamboree.com/show/buford-t-america-bluegrass-and-country-show/ - hosted by a fellow nicknamed "Big Hoss", from 7 to 9 pm every Saturday night, in a segment usually at 8 pm, called "The Road to Dixie." I would encourage you to check it out.

[@metelicgunz146]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand Thank you i'll be sure to check it out. My inspiration to pick up a banjo was when I bought Foggy Mountain Banjo by Flatt & Scruggs in my local used record shop.

[@geeewiz2231]

I'm a Yankee and moved down to Georgia a long time ago. This subject and the argument it creates has merit on both ends. There are those who use the Confederacy with racist intent and there are many who just see it as their heritage, rightly or wrongly. Personally I think it's long past time we move on. It's 2024

[@vintagebrew1057]

I enjoy all the Civil War songs on both sides, but, I am partial towards the South with the best tunes. Thanks for sharing from London UK.

[@ironlady880]

Thank GOD you guys are back...my sanity depends on it!

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

We'll try a little harder to 'keep up' from here on out...

[@AlbertTorcaso]

I will say that I am glad we have a United States, but we must seek to be a united people. I care for and Love all Americans no matter where they live.

[@kc8tby]

Thanks for honoring we Unionists and our noble Northern Armies! General Meagher and our Fighting 69th Regiment forever! :)

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

You are more than welcome !

[@justinianthegreatandnerd6377]

Wasn’t the 69th us Irishmen?

[@davidgreene6976]

Hail Columbia, I mean Hail Mary to your regiment.Rosary prays is superior to violence.✡️✝️✝️✝️💔❣️🌺🌹🌻🥀

[@radiousis49]

This is real music.

[@kailierayner5512]

What I would give to see you guys in person. I have not yet had that privilege. God bless you lads. Love from a Union daughter from RI-- but a southern belle at heart.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Amen, Kailie ! Thanks !

[@davidgreene6976]

In that case one of Sherman's men would like to pay you a visit.😂😂🤣🤣Funny😂😂

[@darinfry1543]

Some of these people commenting need to get a grip. It's just history and music. I've always loved civil war history and after watching Ken burns civil war documentary I've grown fond of music from the Era.

[@stantheaussieman5360]

Those Good Ol Boys in heaven looking down on you , loving the music and tapping their feet. Thank you so much, don't ever stop.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Thanks, Stan ! What a nice thing to say !

[@Ilovechocolatelabs]

That is a wonderful thing to picture

[@JohnBrownsBody]

I’m not even particularly patriotic but this song always gets my blood flowing. The Union Forever!

[@SamH379]

I'm a Canadian history student, and your work is some of my favourite music out there. It's just so much fun to listen to, even as a Canadian. I especially love all of your live videos, especially the Far, Far From Home series of videos, but I think this song and the others from the 155th Gettysburg you've uploaded might just be my favourites. Their sound is just so much fun to listen to. I eagerly await any other tracks you upload from this show.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Thanks a lot, Sam ! Glad you enjoyed FFFH (now 20 years old - we looked a lot more the part back then...). We shant disappoint you - more Candlelight Concert videos are in the works. Soon. Stay tuned !

[@jacobsonjj]

Love this song and the setting here. Takes me to another place.

[@AC_WILDCARD]

I love yalls singin n music... and am really wishing I never looked down in the comments section here, what a disgrace by these people arguing it out.

[@warboss8910]

Man I am happy to see you guys back

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Moved from one state to another... Ain't easy when you're my age. Been a LOT goin' on that's kept me away from editing. More will be coming soon... In the meantime, thank you VERY much for your kind comment. What a nice way to say so much in so few words...

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

@@rhester02 I do. Actually, I always have: born in IL, moved to MA when I was 12, to Gettysburg in 1996, NH in 2010, and now CT. But my heart has always belonged to Dixie ! Since grade school... Truth !

[@allanboyer2769]

Well done to my brothers from the south. This song is a part of all of our heritages. As Lincoln said, with malice toward none and charity for all. We should all be proud to be Americans no matter what side our blood was shed for. We fought for our principles and beliefs. We are one nation under God.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

AMEN TO THAT !!!

[@kenlandon6130]

But it would be wise to heed the warning of George Henry Thomas, a Virginian slaveowner turned gifted Union General aka "The Rock of Chickamauga". Basically Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson combined in an alternate universe. His was real patriotism, standing up to traitorous kith and kin (who totally disowned him and refused to even attend his funeral) in defense of freedom and country. It should be his statue that graces the front of every Southern courthouse, not Robert E. Lee's. The same way in Germany they honor the generals who tried to kill Hitler. "[T]he greatest efforts made by the defeated insurgents since the close of the war have been to promulgate the idea that the cause of liberty, justice, humanity, equality, and all the calendar of the virtues of freedom, suffered violence and wrong when the effort for southern independence failed. This is, of course, intended as a species of political cant, whereby the crime of treason might be covered with a counterfeit varnish of patriotism, so that the precipitators of the rebellion might go down in history hand in hand with the defenders of the government, thus wiping out with their own hands their own stains; a species of self-forgiveness amazing in its effrontery, when it is considered that life and property-justly forfeited by the laws of the country, of war, and of nations, through the magnanimity of the government and people-was not exacted from them." - Report to General Ulysses S. Grant (17 November 1868) theconversation.com/us-army-maj-gen-george-h-thomas-journey-from-enslaver-to-union-officer-to-civil-rights-defender-205950

[@awsomecfstc4845]

You guys are this Yank’s favorite band. Keep it up

[@michaelclark2458]

respect

[@solominded]

Great song no matter what side you think your on. Edit: Songs like these are popular today because they apply to both the North and the South. Historic music rarely picks a side. You guys' sound great.

[@kenlandon6130]

There was a southern version of this song. This is the original one made for the Union.

[@yeah30]

fantastic rendition

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Yeah. Not bad for a bunch of rebels, eh ?

[@srsherman7390]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand you folks sure as hell delivered a damn fine rendition

[@sulky_grrrl]

The Union forever!

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Amen to that, Sulky Record Girl...

[@davidgreene6976]

They're singing about your marriage.😂😂😂😂😂

[@Emperormonkeman]

You boys gots some guts singing that in the south! Y’all earned my respect brothers you honored your brethren and that’s good

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Well, Gettysburg PA is hardly the 'south', but I take your point ! Thanks !

[@Emperormonkeman]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand Aw shit I’m dumb ain’t I! I wasn’t listening I was just listening to the song lol

[@Emperormonkeman]

@@davidgreene6976 damn

[@Guide_on_dut]

Many of my ancestors fought for the Confederates and some fought for the Union. So seeing the Confederates playing a song that the Union used is in a way symbolic on how you can be different enough to fight one another but still find the human.

[@michaelpalmieri7335]

That's sort of like how, after the surrender of the Confederate army at Appomattox Courthouse in 1865, President Abraham Lincoln celebrated by having a military band play, not one of the Union songs like "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic," but the Confederate song, "Dixie."

[@Guide_on_dut]

@@michaelpalmieri7335 Yeah! Very true!

[@orfeo793]

Same here, lots of ancestry in the south but the rest were british or unionists in the north. Either way, the music is all beautiful to me, Confederate or Union.

[@gtworldzhd4137]

I am by no means a southener or Confederate sympathizer, but I just enjoy the music this band makes. This band grew to be my favorite since they always have great versions of songs, and even as this video suggests are probably enjoying music as much, without necessary being pro-Slavery. Well done!

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

HE GETS IT ! HE GETS IT ! What a great comment ! Thanks a LOT !! FYI, I select certain comments each month to share with the rest of the band (they don't all check these - just sayin') and they really mean a lot to the lads. We had fun together for more than 30 years and truly enjoyed performing the music for every one of them. It's probably why we're now more 'famous' than we ever were when we were still performing. Thanks again !

[@davidgreene6976]

I am with you.😂😂

[@haraldernstkalt4239]

Great band, great songs greetings from Germany

[@Jubilo1]

These fellers are missed like nothing else. Once upon a time...

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Thanks, David. Believe me, we miss you all just as much. Gettin' old ain't for the faint of heart... But then, I'm not telling you anything new, am I ? Be well, old pard !

[@atropiaveteran]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand then I hope y'all train someone to carry on the told traditions... we're in sore need of them.

[@johnspinelli9396]

Why are people getting passionate? It's just a song and its about celebrating our history. We're all patriotic Americans here 🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@topologyrob]

No many of us are not from the USA

[@117rebel]

I’m a patriotic Southerner. I don’t care for your far left woke Godless Union.

[@johnspinelli9396]

@@117rebel It's not a far left Woke Union if DeSantis or Trump is back in office

[@topologyrob]

@@117rebel why sink to being right wing? We Aussies have little patience for that crap - it’s far too godless

[@gtworldzhdi649]

@@117rebel Far left woke😂. Can’t even define woke, can you? Last I heard, far-left is quite anti-woke. Look at communism. Did the Soviets ever advocate for individual freedom? No, so that means they are anti-woke.

[@HistoryBoy]

I am so honored and humbled to be a part of this magnificent collaboration, and to have become your friend. The 2nd SC is my all-time favorite band, and the all-time greatest Civil War Stringband, no question about it. I really enjoyed the immersion of this performance, I was transported back to ‘62. In addition, it was unspeakably amazing to see the band preform the music that I have been editing, and have had exclusive access to, for so long. How incredible. If you audience members have not seen my video, with the remastered audio, and paintings, here is the link! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKSnqomui659eJY Talk with you again soon, and thanks again.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Truly MY pleasure, History Boy ! I'm a FAN !!! Perhaps a little 'backstory' is in order... About five months ago, while scrolling thru my KZbin 'feed' one night before turning in, I noticed a posting by one "History Boy" - "10 Greatest Southern Songs of the Civil War." Intrigued, I decided to take a look to see if any of our recordings had been among those History Boy had chosen. It turned out we had 4 out of 10 - 40% ! Not bad, I thought, so I left a comment: "THANKS A LOT, HISTORY BOY !!! We appreciate the exposure and the credits. Good luck with your subscribers !" Shortly thereafter, we began a 'dialog' via FB Messenger, which soon turned into a genuine friendship (though we've not actually met), and led finally, to this collaboration on "The Battle Cry of Freedom." In early August of 2020, History Boy asked permission to use our recording of the song for one of his excellent KZbin videos. Our only objection was that the track he wanted was made nearly 30 years ago on our very first audio-cassette release, "Tenting Tonight," which was recorded low-tech, in a basement on a borrowed 8-track tape recorder, and playing modern instruments. His disappointment quickly evaporated when I suggested we might be able to use the stereo soundtrack from a video we made two summers ago at the 155th Gettysburg battle reenactment, in July of 2018. Within a few days, I had stripped out the audio track for the song and sent it to History Boy, who was then able to create yet another entertaining video of Civil War music for his popular channel. We had originally hoped to release his video version and ours at the same time, but as I believe John Lennon once quipped, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." I can honestly say, it's been a real pleasure working with this talented young man, who has only just begun to show us all what he can become. He's accomplished a LOT since he began - 110 videos and counting - he's even shown me a thing or two about using the internet. Who knows, we may find something else to collaborate on... Stay tuned !!!

[@HistoryBoy]

Thanks again for your kind words @2nd South Carolina String Band! Hope that we can indeed collaborate again!

[@HistoryBoy]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand appreciate it so much! Looking forward to a future project!

[@veni8580]

One of the best musical groups ever assembled. Period.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

PLEASE ! You've gone too far ! (But thanks !!!)

[@veni8580]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand I'm young. Maybe my scope is limited! But I can't think of one other group I appreciate in the way I do you guys.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

@@veni8580 I promise I won't hold your youth against you (I'm 78). Believe me when I tell you that hearing such positive comments from young people like yourself is VERY encouraging to us. Thanks again !

[@macarthur7395]

It nice to see some Dixie boys singing a song of the union iam sure Ulysses is very happy to see the south embrace the north same with Lee he is very happy that the south kees its pride

[@historyjedi]

Awesome

[@inquirer1016]

What a great band! Well done with a Southern twist.

[@therabman_5606]

I love this band! would love to see yous love the next time I’m in America. ❤️ from Northern Ireland

[@carmenevans7651]

For those who boo their northern brethren, it's the northern tax dollars that pay for the southern public assistance. We're all in this together.

[@redneckrebel489]

They have RETURNED!!!🥳

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

I know it SEEMED like it, but we never really left. The internet is forever - evidently.

[@tizianosac]

I will always be a Union Man and nothing will change that but hearing that which was really well done. Gives you a warm feeling in your heart of the fond respect that a Southerner has on a Northerner, and a Northerner has on a Southerner. Brother vs Brother. American vs American.

[@afriendlyrebel5709]

As usual, THE BEST PERFORMANCE!

[@rozumek1993]

MORE! I DO NEED MORE US Civil War MUSIC by 2nd SC String Band (live), since I have all your albums and clips, folks. Greetings from ACW reenactor from UK/Poland. God Save Dixie! 🪕🎻

[@lawrencewood289]

Absolutely great string band. Respect whatever music they play.

[@crocsonletsgo9665]

Just broke my C.S.A. belt buckle dancing to this. Sad, but It died in battle. Haha. My belly was shouting the battlecry of freedom.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

HAHAHAHA....

[@clintwalls9429]

Glad it died with its boots on!!

[@tombankwel4822]

I heard and saw this video again and i always see Robert e Lee and traveler should Be forever a gemstone in american history, so freedom is a valid gift and lets use it for love and affection

[@JamieGifford]

I can't even remember how many times I've come back to this video. You breathe new life into this beautiful song, and in these times when our freedoms are being threatened, this performance fills me with the spirit I need to keep going. Thank you! With best wishes from Cornwall, England.

[@Tinyuvm]

It's not even my country and I love this song xD

[@aurekeke1.066]

It's weird that EVERY music i find here, i've always already heard it before but somehow, those music hit harder then stone when it's made by you guys

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

WEIRD, ain't it ? A little 'magical', even...

[@hawkerben1158]

I find it kinda weird but also kind of nice how the civil war could be so devastating for both sides yet such cheerful and happy songs were made about it truly amazing

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

It were a wonderment, fer sure...

[@AC_WILDCARD]

Berry Benson said it best after all, “In time, even death itself might be abolished; who knows but it may be given to us after this life to meet again in the old quarters, to play chess and draughts, to get up soon to answer the morning role call, to fall in at the tap of the drum for drill and dress parade, and again to hastily don our war gear while the monotonous patter of the long roll summons to battle. Who knows but again the old flags, ragged and torn, snapping in the wind, may face each other and flutter, pursuing and pursued, while the cries of victory fill a summer day? And after the battle, then the slain and wounded will arise, and all will meet together under the two flags, all sound and well, and there will be talking and laughter and cheers, and all will say, Did it not seem real? Was it not as in the old days?”

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

​@@AC_WILDCARD So moving and so true. That was our "Captain's" favorite CW book. I think that rang especially true for him, a combat veteran of the 82nd Airborne, with 2.5 tours in Viet Nam. Our company was 'men only' (i.e., no wives and kids in our camp), and the camaraderie that policy fostered was a real thing. That we could go to reenactments - just as Benson imagined above - "pursue [and be] pursued", fall and rise again at the end of a day of mock battles was for all of us a valuable experience. And as the Cap'n often used to say at the end of the weekend, "No one goes home in a body bag."

[@imperialhighcommand8535]

I just learned recently that one of my earliest ancestors was FROM South Carolina. Ironically, I also have another ancestor who was part of the Union western Armies and fought at Shiloh. So I have family on both sides of the Mason-Dixon. I have just discovered your amazing band, and as a lover of the Civil War era, it has been very entertaining to listen to these during COVID. Wish you all the best!

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Well, thanks for the kind words ! We're glad to have you on board. You might be interested to know the the two brothers in the band also have a ggf on both sides of the fight.

[@ShankaDaWanka]

That dude shouting "down with the eagle" reminds me of those hecklers at comedy shows. It was pretty funny, though.

[@HistoryBoy]

Hell of a headache for me. If you take a look at my part of the collaboration, you will see that I had to edit out all of his outbursts. Lol.

[@astr0gnat]

sounds great!

[@badmoth242xl3]

Every war America has been in has come with an awesome soundtrack. Y’all are bringing it to life

[@jamestat5928]

Not really the civil war and the great War had the best military songs

[@karldonitz6792]

This song is absolutely beautiful

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Thanks 'Karl' ! You're looking surprisingly well !

[@edsonmorais5025]

Belíssima canção

[@nostalgiakarlk.f.7386]

When I first heard this on the "Hard Road" album, I was surprised to hear the 2nd South Carolina String Band cover a Union song. But y'all did it beautifully!

[@HermannCortez]

I love the way the crowd gets into the song :D

[@brysonstevens78]

I'm not sure if you know, but they are singing "Down with the eagle and up with the cross" the Confederate version of the song.

[@HermannCortez]

@@brysonstevens78 I love the clever lyrics to the Northern version of Dixie

[@kenlandon6130]

Banger.

[@redshuttleredacted6422]

I love how some of the audience are trying to sing the Confederate version lmao

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Yeah, they were an 'enthusiastic' bunch of lads... But then again, they know we're not a 'union' band. :O)

[@gitar1hero1qaz]

You'll have that

[@8Barbarossa]

I remember when I went to Blackburn on a school trip in 1984 and I saw a confederate flag for the first time on an old mill. The teacher told me that England helped support the confederates in their war because we depended on cotton so much. I’ve been back since and the mill is gone now and there’s hardly any mills left but I thought it was worth mentioning. They used to say britains bread hangs by Lancashires thread.😂🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@lawrencewood289]

Great band! Disappointing to me the crowd booing when they announced a Northern song would be played.

[@katzea4246]

i must admit i come back to this song every other week, as a brit dating a Texan i love this song on another level. hope too see you lads at an event soon!

[@kate4828]

This makes me so happy for some reason. This entire song and video just glows with joy and positivity. It just radiates good energy!!! I love it!!

[@buddyduddyful]

These brilliant men resonate the spirit of the West.

[@MundoExportar]

What a really nice interpretation!!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Thanks a lot!

[@Ben-Scheel2006]

glad you uploaded

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Thanks, Ben. It's good to be back !

[@joelmoore3469]

Yall are the greatest band ever

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

We're blushing...

[@thanhthai328]

Hoorayyy for Texas !!!

[@kenlandon6130]

You might not like the band's politics (mine are pretty much the opposite of theirs), but you gotta admit, they aren't afraid of offending anyone. Not even their own pro-Confederate fan base.

[@frmyt1135]

Takes alotta balls to do

[@kenlandon6130]

@@frmyt1135 yep

[@Jeremydatliam]

I fucking saw you on the johnny comes marching home video. I am going insane

[@kenlandon6130]

@@Jeremydatliam kay?

[@Jeremydatliam]

@@kenlandon6130 sorry I sent that I like 2 am

[@waterlover5553]

It's always nice to come back to your guy's songs and listen to them, keeps the mind off the current climate of the world currently.

[@oldnosey4961]

From Michigan, had an ancestor who fought with Mansfield's corps, Pennsylvania regiment at Antietam. God Save the Union!

[@mohammadrezaazadi1208]

Well done boys, you and Irish rovers are the flavor to my days. Bless your Strings from Iran!

[@iamnotoriginal3848]

Got historical roots in both north and south, love your stuff 🖒

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Thanks ! We do too: 7th Tenn. Cav., 26th Ill. Vol. Inf. - all 4 years.

[@ShankaDaWanka]

Welcome back to KZbin!

[@bottlerocket2528]

both sides had great music. I inference it might have something to do with the Irish influence found in American folk music. The Irish sure know how to make good music.

[@-jank-willson]

The south were primarily scottish, whereas the north was primarily british and Irish

[@michaelpalmieri7335]

So do the Italians.

[@PickingGaz1972]

I love the whistle and strings kills me good

[@dawsontaylor7236]

Really shows that the stars and bars ain’t no enemy. Just some joyous folks with southern pride!

[@Dannysoutherner]

These guys are great. In an era when our nations history is being erased by the cancel culture people like this keep it alive thru music.

[@llmaffeis]

Great!!

[@cameronspringer5795]

Fantastic, always love to hear new renditions. I know it would never happen but I wish you all would come and play in California. God Bless. 🙏

[@5persondude]

Been playing a game by the same name, “Battle Cry of Freedom”, that features a ton of your guys’ work and had to come here

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

HURRAH !!! Thanks for that ! We did a deal with them way back in 2014. It's taken them years to bring that game to market, I guess. I haven't checked it out yet. Where in the game do they use our music ? How does a player use it ? Thanks again for confirming it's there !

[@5persondude]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand Oh wow, I didn’t realize all of that music was recorded that long ago. Anyways the game just has the tracks playing during gameplay and cycles through them like a playlist. The pause menu also shows the name of the current track that’s playing, along with a couple of buttons to pause the track or skip to the next one Really enjoyed the music you guys did for the game so I had to come here to find the rest of your work!

[@3halfshadows]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand I've also been playing that game and came here looking for that music which is super hot fire

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

@@5persondude And we're glad you did ! Thanks !!

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

@@3halfshadows And we're glad you did TOO ! Thanks !!

[@rozumek1993]

I had no idea you have played "Marching through Georgia" and "Lincoln and Liberty" as well. Unfortunately, for us, Civil War Music geeks - it is impossible now to get that audio-casette "Band of Brothers" (yours second release). I cannot obtain it anywhere in the world. I would be very grateful, if you can make an upload of these songs as well, since this tape is completly obsolete and there is no listing of it anywhere, besides, there is no one in whole univere who can sing and play these songs more beautifully and with such a passion than you, guys. BTW, Merry Christmas from UK. God Save the South!

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Hmmmm. Interesting. Have we (whatever 'this' is) before ? Commented/replied ? I know I've mentioned somewhere about those 2 songs, but... Funny you should ask. I just recently rec'd a digitized archive of the material housed on a bunch of more or less unidentified audio-cassettes I've had kicking around for years. Pretty sure those 2 are in there. I'll have to check. Boy ! Releasing those could sure piss off a lot of fans. I'd have to run that by the other 'old guard' members of the band, but hey, why not ? You might be interested to know (if you don't already) that we deliberately removed those 2, along with early versions of "Southern Soldier" and "Dixie", because we were about to release the "Southern Soldier" album in July of 1996 (on cassette). We had been told by one of our vendors that he could not sell the "Brothers" tape down south - explaining that many southerners still harbor enmity for the north's cruelty towards and oppression of civilians during and after the war (stories heard at their grandparents knees kind of thing). Anyway, when we combined the first 2 albums, "Tenting Tonight" and "Band of Brothers" into one CD, "Hard Road", we cut those tracks. I'll have to think about that. Thanks for your comment !

[@averagedemographic8933]

No matter what happens in the election I will rally and shout the battle cry of freedom!

[@FultonEagle1948]

Right On!

[@michalurbanful]

Regards from the Czech Republic, guys! You are great!

[@BradanKlauer-mn4mp]

Well, I found the perfect song to blast on the Fourth of July next year.

[@Ian-rl7cw]

I do love that they honor both respective sides of the war. Not many bands do this.

[@commontater8630]

Fine, but don't forget that this war was fought over whether certain people could 'own' other people.

[@Ian-rl7cw]

@@commontater8630 I didn’t say it wasn’t but I also think that both sides had their fallacies.

[@celestialnubian]

@@Ian-rl7cw Really dude? It's 2024 and you people are still doing the "both sideisms". How intellectually vapid are you?

[@commontater8630]

Always the big BUT....

[@commontater8630]

@@Ian-rl7cw So what were the 'fallacies' of the 'side' fighting to overturn slavery?

[@jamesorth6460]

I remembering hearing the fighting version it kind of goes like this: we are marching to the field boys going to the fight, shouting the battle cry of freedom....

[@ColtonWalker073]

There was a Confederate version of the song, as well. The chorus went "Down with the Eagle, and up with the Cross".

[@archimedesfromteamfortress2]

And we'll bear the glorious stars for the Union and the right!

[@Jubilo1]

A magical night we'll never see the likes of again...

[@clutsetathecommenter2625]

I'm astonished the crowd decided to stick to a mediocre "boo" when you said you were giving a nod to your northern brethren. I am a bit happy and dissatisfied they didn't let out a rebel yell.

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

Oh, they did PLENTY of that, believe me !

[@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand]

You shoulda heard 'em when we did "O, I'm A Good Old Rebel"....

[@afghanistandaily9175]

@@2ndSouthCarolinaStringBand Will that ever get uploaded?

[@leoocta6510]

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL SONG. 👍👆👊🤜🤛📺🇺🇸🇧🇷

[@davidgreene6976]

The greatest song of all time.