Blood Upon the Risers originated with the United States' Army Airborne Divisions in the early 1940s, whose paratroopers were among the first precursors to the ODSTs. It was something of an adaption itself being written to the tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic, but which unit it actually came from remains a matter of dispute. The song persisted just as the paratroopers did, whom had proved the value of their concept in the war and continued to exist as a part of many nations' standing armies. More than a few translations were created, and the song managed to survive the integration of Earth's armies during the formation of the United Earth Government and United Nations Space Command despite differing nationalities and languages.