Song lyrics to Abraham (1942). Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin. Played at the Holiday Inn. Sung on Lincoln’s birthday by Bing Crosby, Martha Mears (dubbing Marjorie Reynolds) in blackface, Chorus, and Louise Beavers with Shelby Bacon and Joan Arnold.
[Editor’s note: Abraham is a celebration of Abraham Lincoln‘s birthday — and several of the performers are in blackface, to represent freed slaves. If you’re offended … you’ve been warned. Bear in mind that this is using 1942’s sensibilities, not 21st century’s attitudes.]
Upon a February morn
A tiny baby boy was born
Abraham, Abraham
When he grew up this tiny babe
Folks all called him Honest Abe
Abraham, Abraham
In eighteen sixty, he became
The sixteenth president
And now he’s in the hall of fame
A most respected gent
That’s why we celebrate
This blessed February date
Abraham, Abraham
When black folks lived in slavery
Who was it set the darkie free?
Abraham, Abraham
When trouble came down from the shelf
Who’s heart was bigger than himself?
Abraham, Abraham
The country’s going to the dogs
They shouted loud and long
Then from a cabin made out of logs
The right man come along
And that is why we celebrate
This blessed February date
Abraham, Abraham
The U.S.A.’s united thanks
To one whose name was Nancy Hanks
Abraham, Abraham
She gave this land the finest son
Who ever went to Washington
Abraham, Abraham
Someone told him General Grant
Was drinking every night
He answered, ‘Go see if you can’t
Get all my generals tight’
That’s why we celebrate
This blessed February date
Abraham, Abraham
Thank the Lord for
Abraham
Abraham