Abraham Lincoln (A Life)

In Hodgenville, Kentucky, in a cabin made of pine
Abe Lincoln was born February 12, 1809

He educated himself, most with books by candlelight
He became a wrestling champ, both from his strength and from his height

Abe served in the militia, was county postmaster, too
But law became his passion, so borrowed law books, he went through

Abe met Mary in '39, they wed in '42
He had had second thoughts, but decided to say 'I do'

Four sons, the couple had, first, Robert, born in '43
Sadly, he, the only one to live to maturity

Four terms a rep in Illinois, then, one for the US
Abe ran to be Senator, but lost to Stephen Douglas

In '61, Abe was elected 16th president
He got few votes from Southern States, his slave view's evident

See, Abe was anti-slavery. he Southern states were not
They broke from the US, then at Fort Sumter, fired the first shot

From '61 to '65, the Civil War raged on
Abe signed a proclamation to make Southern slavery gone

Abe was actively involved in the war's strategy
At Appomattox, the end came with surrender by General Lee

Five days later, April 14th, Abe went to see a play
Booth entered his booth and then shot him. Abe died the next day

Lincoln's on the five dollar bill and the penny, too
They remind us of Abe's critical role in paying freedom's dues