The news was run from Richmond
In that fading April sun
That Lee had handed Grant his sword
The war was finally won
Into the streets the people spilled
Feeling the excitement build
And the crowd around the Whitehouse milled
Asking is it true — it's finally done?

Inside the Whitehouse Lincoln heard them calling out his name
He sat there wondering what to say there years of pain
Someone yelled
"Come out the door
And tell us what you have in store
For the rebels that have lost the war"
So out upon the porch Abe Lincoln came

He said:
We are gathered not in anger but in celebration
Let's be grateful we are once again a single nation
Let's stand together, reassured
Now that peace has been secured
Our nations illness can be cured
And I suggest the overture...
For this occasion
He said let the band play dixie
Play that tune that holds its head up high and proud
And let our nation once divided, bloody but unbowed
Take the swords of war and beat them back into a plow
On the day that we surrendered Mr. Lincoln told the crowd:
Let the band play dixie

A tired Union soldier
Hobbled on his only limb
Filled with bitter memories
The war had left with him

He dragged his wooden leg and cane
His face was set and creased with pain
He stumbled fell and rose again
And he wondered — what the future held for him
He spied a black child kneeling there in humble gratitude
He knelt down right beside her to share her thankful mood
Grateful words were raised in prayer
God in your sweet loving care
Our broken lives now please repair
And let our broken nation be renewed

Let the band play dixie
Play that tune that holds its head up high and proud
And let our nation once divided, bloody but unbowed
Take the swords of war and beat them back into a plow
On the day that we surrendered Mr. Lincoln told the crowd:
Let the band play dixie
Let the band play dixie