Note THE BATTLE-CRY OF FREEDOM — Chapter IX

Page 500. The Battle-Cry of Freedom. The popularity of the songs sung by the armies of both North and South seems to have been in direct ratio to their maudlin sentimentality. Most popular of all was the song known as "When this Cruel War is Over." It was heard in every camp, north and south, many times a day, the Southern soldiers inserting "gray" for "blue" in the sixth line of the first stanza with a cheerful disregard of the rhyme. It was sung in public gatherings, in the home—in fact, it is doubtful if any other song was ever upon so many American tongues. This wide appeal gives it, in a way, a historic interest, which warrants its inclusion here.