But their cause was lost
The war for them was over
The Union's troops were victorious
And so many Confederates paid a cost
They lost brothers and land
Property and their independence
They'd given everything for so long
That they had lost their will
Even if there were still a warrior's guile
So close to the end, they were no longer hostile
So the rebel troops found a Union picket
And fully surrendered
Without demanding terms or promises
They were taken through the lines
To learn their disposition
Would they be arrested or shot
Would they be held for trial
It didn't matter
The war was over
However it was carried out
Peace had to happen
Civility had to be wrought
Today or tomorrow
Here or so far away, so many miles
It was over
And they were finished
However well they had fought
