Abraham's Tea Party

A belated birthday wish to the late Mr. Lincoln. I'm almost two weeks late, but I'm sure he'd understand.

While we're at it, what better time to recall Honest Abe's famous quip about tea, "If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee."

Then there's this little Civil War ditty, circa 1864:


Abraham's Tea Party

We're going down to Dixie, boys,
Upon a little ride,
Our knapsacks on behind us, boys,
And sabres by our side;
Our Abraham invited us,
Three hundred thousand strong,
To come to tea, and here we are,
We're coming right along!

Chorus:
Heave, ho, laddie!
We'll sing to Abe our song:
We're coming father Abraham,
We're coming right along.

And when we're down in Dixie, boys,
"Old Abe" with us will be
One little job he'd have us do
Before we take our tea:
There is a thief called "rebel Jeff"
Who steals from Uncle Sam,
We'll catch, and him we'll introduce
To father Abraham.

We'll make a present to the crews,
Of Beauregard and Lee,
Some pepper, grape, and canisters
Of strong gunpowder tea!
And when we've swept the rattlesnakes
Into the gulf and sea
We're coming, father Abraham,
We're coming home to tea!