The Battle Cry!

For generations, soldier’s have marched into battle motivated by a melody of courage, strength and victory. During the United States Civil War a song was written to inspire the northern army (the Union.) But due to the songs ‘sing-ability’ the southern army (the Confederates) adopted the tune and adjusted the words to fit their own rally. The words, for the North, were a simple cry to rally the troops;

“And we’ll rally ’round the flag boys, rally once again shouting the battle cry of freedom!”

 

But as a soldier of the cross, we have songs of our own to inspire and encourage each other in this ‘fight for the right.’ Consider songs like “Soldiers of Christ, Arise” or “Faith is the Victory” as just a couple of these motivating spiritual songs. But for the next few moments, allow me to direct your mind and consider how this old Civil War melody, “The Battle Cry of Freedom,” compares with one of the Christian’s battle songs as we prepare for conflict. First, from George Root in 1863, the Civil War song of motivation; “The Battle Cry of Freedom.”

“Oh we’ll rally round the flag, boys, we’ll rally once again, shouting the battle cry of freedom,
And we’ll 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, and up with the star;
While we rally round the flag, boys, we rally once again, shouting the battle cry of freedom!”

From the same period of time, a short six years later in 1869, from the pen of William Sherwin, notice the similarity in reassurance and support that the Christian soldier sings as he calls us to…”Sound the Battle Cry.”

“Sound the battle cry! See, the foe is nigh; raise the standard high for the Lord;
Gird your armor on, stand firm, every one; Rest your cause upon His holy Word.”

(Chorus)
“Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner, ready, steady, pass the word along;
Onward, forward, shout aloud, Hosanna! Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.”

We will continue to find motivation and inspiration in our hymns, but only as long as we’re looking for it (ie., singing with understanding). Don’t take for granted the songs, hymns and spiritual songs that we sing as we encourage one another day by day. God gave us the ability to sing for basically two reasons; so we can praise His name and so we can admonish (inspire) His people. He is deserving of all our praise, and we must never forget that we are in a battle against a wicked enemy. The key is to remember that we are called to victory, so let’s ‘rally round the banner.’