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“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, 4:30

An epic struggle’s 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

(bridge)

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

(chorus)

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 Stonewall’s 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

(bridge)

(chorus)

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

(bridge)

(chorus)

“The widow's moan, the orphan's wail,

Come round thee, yet in truth be strong:

Eternal right, though all else fail,

Can never be made wrong.”