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 street
He was takin' his wife to
A nice place to eat


When they caught the man
He did twenty-three 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 scot-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
Yeah, and 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've 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