lincoln’s call

with malice toward none
and charity toward all
abe, your words keep ringing out
only then to fall
by those who’d rather make war
than let union survive
forcing others to accept war
at the cost of many lives
at the cost of many lives

people reading the same Bible
praying to the selfsame God
asking for justice
while neither thinks it odd
that both prayers can’t be answered
and judgment must go on
till sword fills up the measure
of blood the lash has drawn
of blood the lash has drawn

with malice toward none
with charity toward all
there is work for us to finish
abe, let us hear your call
to bind the wounds and care for those
who cry for wars to cease
to achieve and to cherish
a just and lasting peace
a just and lasting peace