I feel as though I've fallen
I've felt as though I fell
I've walked as though my crawlin'
would lead me to my hell
I've looked upon a pile
of burning ensign rags
Reflected for a while
upon the burning flags
White to choose surrender
Colored be my death
to have forever rendered
the dying of my breath
I reached in pyred ardent
I chose my own demise
I waved the white disheartened
just to stay alive
I wish I waved the colored
even if it meant my death
I lived for coming years
but I wish I lived the rest