Mr. Lincoln I wish you were here.
The Republic's changed a lot in a hundred years.
And I don't think it's working like you planned.
Oh, Mr Lincoln, we could use a hand.

I just read the headlines in The Nashville News.
And I wish I'd made this up but I'm afraid it's true.
'Cause a man was murdered for his money in the streets.
He was taking his wife to a nice place to eat.
When they caught the man he did 23 months of time.
He pled insanity like they do now all the time.
Sir, what would you have done in 1859?
Now if you shoot someone, Sir, you can get off scott-free.
It's the latest thing, Mr. Lincoln, can you believe?
Now they sue the manufacturers of the guns.
Ain't the law changed a lot since 1861?

Mr. Lincoln, I wish you were here.
'Cause things have changed a lot in a hundred years.
And I don't think it's working out like you planned.
Hey, Mr. Lincoln, we sure could use a hand.

I just heard the news story on the radio.
They let dangerous men out of prisons now,
Yes, sir I'm afraid it's so.
'Cause they're overcrowded and it was only his fifth offense.
This time, he's killed someone, does that make any sense?
Now my lawyer called me about a nuisance case.
'Cause everybody sues over any little thing these days.
Well at least we're right.
All we gotta do is tell the truth.
He said "You're living in the past you romantic fool."
I said, "You got that right.I lean toward the older ways.
And there's damn few backwoods lawyers left today."

Mr Lincoln, I wish you were here.
The Republic's changed a lot in a hundred years.
And I don't think it's working like you planned.
Hey, Mr. Lincoln, we sure could use a hand.

Mr. Lincoln, please, could you come here?
'Cause things have changed a lot in a hundred years.
And I don't think it's working out like you planned.
Mr. Lincoln, we sure could use a hand.