A/N

Besides the obvious, there's two sources of inspiration for this poem.

The first was a fan essay I read years ago, around the time SC2 was released or about to release, that argued that the campaigns of the original StarCraft were based on the American Civil War, the Old Testament, and the New Testament, for terrans, zerg, and protoss respectively. I can't remember what I thought then, but as per the idea now...no. Just no. Oh sure, you can draw allusions to these things - the "Terran Confederacy," "New Gettysburg," that the campaign is called "Rebel Yell," but that's just it - allusions. The Old/New Testament claims are even more sketchy. It's an idea that stuck in my head back in the day, but one that I can't get behind now. You'd have an easier job arguing that the first two campaigns of SC2 are based on the fall of the Roman Empire, given how much of the Dominion harkens to it (and that SC2 is more thematic in general, but that's another kettle of fish).

The second, more pertinent point of inspiration is that I've been rewatching The Civil War by Ken Burns, which has had all manner of tunes stuck in my head. Enough to drabble down this while working the graveyard shift in the library. :)

Battle Cry of Freedom

Our flag is proudly flying on a dozen worlds and more.

Shout, shout, the battle cry of freedom.

O'er Koprulu sector we shall charge into the fore.

Shout, shout, the battle cry of freedom.

…

Tarsonis forever!

Our call echoes through the stars.

To the glory of Tarsonis.

Across worlds near and far.

Rally round the stars and bars,

Rally once again.

Shout, shout, the battle cry of freedom.

…

We shall plunge into the Morians as others have before.

Shout, shout, the battle cry of freedom.

Our vacant ranks are filled with a million soldiers more.

Shout, shout, the battle cry of freedom.

…

Tarsonis forever!

Our call echoes through the stars.

To the glory of Tarsonis.

Across worlds near and far.

Rally round the stars and bars,

Rally once again.

Shout, shout, the battle cry of freedom.

…

Protect our holdings far and wide, our riches our foes crave.

Shout, shout, the battle cry of freedom.

To Moria say "resistance," we shall never be their slaves.

Shout, shout, the battle cry of freedom.

…

Tarsonis forever!

Our call echoes through the stars.

To the glory of Tarsonis.

Across worlds near and far.

Rally round the stars and bars,

Rally once again.

Shout, shout, the battle cry of freedom.

…

So we're sending out a call, lads, from the Fringe Worlds to the Core,

Shout, shout, the battle cry of freedom.

Join our fellows on the battlefield, march where they've walked before,

Shout, shout, the battle cry of freedom.

…

Tarsonis forever!

Our call echoes through the stars.

To the glory of Tarsonis.

Across worlds near and far.

Rally round the stars and bars,

Rally once again.

Shout, shout, the battle cry of freedom.