(1809-1865)
Abraham Lincoln, considered to be one our country's greatest presidents, is remembered for his great human qualities. He was a patient, compassionate and just man. Though he was often criticized and in danger of assassination, he bravely led the nation by the principles he believed to be right, "with malice toward none, with charity for all."
As president, he accomplished two major feats: he freed the slaves and kept the union of states together, despite the Civil War which threatened to tear the United States apart.
ALL ACROSS THE LAND
(Words & music by Jonathan Sprout)
Born on the frontier in a dirt floor cabin,
A back woods boy splitting rails into the night.
Big bony hands, piercing eyes,
Reading books by the candlelight.
Tall on a platform, thousands before him
Engaged in the great debate,
He says, "Slavery is evil
A monstrous injustice in the hands of hate!"
REFRAIN: This is my proclamation.
Here I make my stand.
I will not rest until I see
Every slave is free
All across the land.
A sea of top hats on a Pennsylvania field
The President addresses a nation's pain.
"Four score and seven years ago..."
Gettysburg was not in vain.
Two weary generals shaking hands
One dressed in blue. One in gray.
News of Appomattox spreads across the land
Then Honest Abe cracks a smile to say:
REFRAIN
Keep the Union strong. Slavery is wrong.
Abolitionists unite!
Stop the Civil War. No fighting anymore.
You know it isn't right for the North & South to fight.
REFRAIN: It was his proclamation.
He made a stand.
When he died the nation wept,
But his promises were kept
All across the land.
© 1995 Kanukatunes (ASCAP)
“..And that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.” – Abraham Lincoln
My favorite Lincoln story is the one about the book he borrowed from a farmer. That book was accidentally destroyed, and since young Lincoln didn’t have the money to pay for it, he ended up working for that farmer three days to make up for the loss of that book. Even as a young man, Lincoln sensed the importance of fairness. It’s my understanding that he was fair and honest as a man, as a husband, as a father and as a president.
In 2004, I had the good fortune to attend a lecture about Abraham Lincoln given by former governor of New York, Mario Cuomo at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Mr. Cuomo is a big fan of Abraham Lincoln’s. He talked about how he thought Mr. Lincoln would handle important decisions in today’s world if he were alive. I came away with a lot of inspiration, as well as with an autographed copy of Mr. Cuomo’s book, Why Lincoln Matters Today More than Ever.
Links:
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site, Hodgenville, KY
Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, Lincoln City, IN
Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Springfield, IL
Appomattox Courthouse National Historical Park, Appomattox, VA
