President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on this day, April 14, in 1865, five days after General Ulysses S. Grant accepted the surrender of Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia, thus ending the bloodiest war in American history.

Listen To The Original Song “The Revenge Of Old Glory”

When the President breathed his last early the next morning, Secretary of Defense Edwin M. Stanton is reported to have said at the bedside vigil, “He now belongs to the ages.”

Thomas “Boston” Corbett

Thomas “Boston” Corbett

Vice President Andrew Johnson was also targeted on the 14th, but not attacked, and Secretary of State William Seward was severely wounded in a separate attack. Secretary Stanton directed a manhunt that ended 12 days later when the Cavalry trapped Booth in a barn. He was shot by a Union soldier, Thomas “Boston” Corbett, and died the next morning.

Booth’s co-conspirators were later tried and hung.

Stand proud. Become better.

Lyrics: “The Revenge Of Old Glory”

If you had been there, you too would have cried
At the shot that launched the tragedian’s ride
Slowed by the Stars ‘n Stripes on the wall
The Revenge of Old Glory, as some would recall

He rides like the wind by the Capital dome
O’er a D.C. bridge to a path leading home
His broken leg is in need of a doctor’s skill
He stops at Doc Mudd’s and reflects on his kill

God rest ye Father Abraham, rest

Father Abraham now belongs to the ages
The Revenge of Old Glory is told on the pages
Of history — and now in this song
T’was a night filled with hope — gone terribly wrong

There’s Herold and Atzerodt — Payne and the like
They all play a role as the assassin takes flight
And one special agent for the rebel cause
Hides the cowardly actor as we mourn our loss

In the pine thicket, laying low for days
Resting, deluded — he’s anxious for praise
While the manhunters are combing the land
The hunted John Booth — he barely can stand

God rest ye Father Abraham, rest

Father Abraham now belongs to the ages
The Revenge of Old Glory is told on the pages
Of history — and now in this song
T’was a night filled with hope — gone terribly wrong

Get to Virginia — Deep South to be safe
Crosses the Potomac but at the wrong place
Chased by the Calvary to Garrett’s farm
Trapped and desperate, he prepares to do harm

The barn gets torched before night turns to day
So the final act the crazed thespian plays
His pistol raised high for a blaze of glory
A shot through the neck puts an end to this story

God rest ye Father Abraham, rest

Old glory reached out and caused Booth to fall
Though Abraham was silenced, his memory stands tall
As the Lord rules forever with an iron rod
Abe stands with the righteous in the kingdom of God

Father Abraham now belongs to the ages
The Revenge of Old Glory is told on the pages
Of history — and now in this song
T’was a night filled hope — gone terribly wrong