The grave old bard, who never dies, Receive him in our English tongue I send thee, but with weeping eyes, The story that he sung. 1861, April 12, 430 in the morning An epic struggles first shots fired Fort Sumter shelled for 34 hours An assault relentless and inspired The Union flag was at last torn down Independence seemed for the taking Glorious victories abounded at first And left the Yankee soldiers shaking Olden muskets versus modern rifles A rural nation against industrial force Glorious exploits for honour and pride In one of the most renowned of wars An admirable fight against all odds A defiant struggle to save their land A brave stance against a superior foe Forever inspirational the rebel stand The brilliance of Lee seen at Bull Run Then Stonewalls iron Valley campaign Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville The men in grey left their foe in pain A decisive victory was not achieved The war dragged on four long years Superior numbers started to count Confidence began to turn to fears Finally at Appomatox it came to end After so many a cruel and bloody battle Ultimately the Union was preserved In spite of the rebels noble mettle The dust now settled a nation in ruins And after effects do persist til this day But never will by history be forgotten The heroic feats of the men in grey The widows moan, the orphans wail, Come round thee, yet in truth be strong Eternal right, though all else fail, Can never be made wrong.
union, superior, rebel, fredericksburg, appomatox