Honest Abe of the West

1860—Era & Topic: Abraham Lincoln

This lyric was used as a presidential campaign song for Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860. Verse four shows that his candidacy was based in part on the ending of slavery.

1. O hark! From the pine-crested hills of old Maine,
   Where the splendor first falls from the wings of the morning,
And away in the West, over river and plain,
Rins out the grand anthem of Liberty’s warning!
        From green-rolling prairie it swells to the sea,
        For the people have risen, victorious and free’
    They have chosen their leaders, and bravest and best
    Of them all, is OLD ABE, HONEST ABE OF THE WEST!

2. The spirit that fought for the patriots of old,
   Has swept through the land and aroused us forever;
In the pure air of Heaven a standard unfold
   Fit to marshall us on to the sacred endeavor!
        Proudly the banner of freemen we bear;
        Noble the hope that encircle it there!
   And where battle is thickest we follow the crest
   Of gallant OLD ABE, HONEST ABE OF THE WEST!
         
3. There’s a triumph in urging a glorious cause,
   Though the hosts of the foe for awhile may be stronger,
Pushing on for just rulers and holier laws,
   Till their lessening columns oppose us no longer.
But ours the loud paean of men who have past
Through the struggles of years, and are victor at last:
   So forward the flag! leave to Heaven the rest,
And trust to OLD ABE, HONEST ABE OF THE WEST!

4. Lo! See the bright scroll of the future unfold!
   Broad farms and fair cities shall crown our devotion—
Free Labor turn even the sands into gold,
   And the links of her railways chain ocean to ocean;
        Barges shall float on the dark river waves
        With a wealth never wrung from the sinews of slaves;
   And the Chief, in whose rule all the land shall be blest,
Is our noble OLD ABE, HONEST ABE OF THE WEST!

Honest Abe of the West