Old Abe's Lament

Jeff Davis is coming, Oh! dear, Oh! dear,
Jeff Davis is coming, Oh! dear;
I dare not stir out for I fell very queer,
Jeff Davis is coming, Oh! dear.

I fain would go home without shedding a tear
About Davis in taking the president's chair;
But I dare not attempt it, Oh! dear, Oh! dear,
I'm afraid he will "hang" me, Oh! dear.

I tried to deceive them, Oh! dear, Oh! dear,
How hard I did strive, Oh! dear;
But it was of no use, as it seems very clear,
Now that Davis is coming, Oh! dear.

Then I tried to coerce them, Oh! dear, Oh! dear,
With thousands of troops far and near;
But they joined me for bread, not for Union I fear,
And they hate me the worse, Oh! dear.

Then I tried to blockade them, Oh! dear, Oh! dear,
With a fleet true and steady, Oh! dear;
But England says No! and is coming 'tis clear,
For it is not "effective," Oh! dear, Oh! dear.

I would renounce all the honours, Oh! dear,
And try to get home as I came,
But I dare not stir out for I feel very queer,
For Davis is coming, Oh! dear.