The Pardon Came Too Late - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
THE PARDON CAME TOO LATE. Copyright, 1891, by Willis Woodward & Co. 
A fair-haired boy in a foreign land at sunrise was to die; in a prison-cell he sat alone, from his heart there came a sigh; Deserted from the ranks, they said, the reason none could say; They only knew the orders were that he should die nest day; And as the hours glided by, a messenger on wings did fly To save this boy from such a fate-a pardon, but it came too late. 
Chorus. The volley was fired at sunrise, just after break of day, And while the echoes lingered, a soul had passed away Into the arms of his Maker, and there to hear his fate; A tear, a sigh, a sad "good-bye "-the pardon came too late. 
And 'round the camp-fire burning bright the story then was told; How his mother on a dying-bed called for her son so bold; He hastened to obey her wish, was captured on the way; She never saw her boy so fair-he died at break of day; And when the truth at last was known, his Innocence at once was shown, To save from such an unjust fate a pardon sent, but 'twas too late.-Cho.