George Frederick Root

George Frederick Root (August 30, 1820 – August 6, 1895) was a Romantic American composer, who found particular fame during the American Civil War, with songs such as "Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!" and "The Battle Cry of Freedom". He is regarded as the first American to compose a secular cantata.

Quotes

• The Union forever, hurrah! boys, hurrah!
  Down with the traitors, up with the stars;
  While we rally round the flag, boys, we rally once again,
     Shouting the battle cry of freedom!
  • "The Battle Cry of Freedom" (1862), chorus

• We will welcome to our numbers the loyal, true and brave,
     Shouting the battle cry of freedom!
  And although he may be poor, he shall never be a slave,
     Shouting the battle cry of freedom!
  • "The Battle Cry of Freedom" (1862), st. 3

External links

• Jerry Silverman, Ballads and Songs of the Civil War (Pacific, MO: Mel Bay Publications, Inc., 2011)