Abraham!

A Musical Play in Two Acts by Ken Bradbury and Robert L. Crowe © Creative Ideas, Inc., 1997

(opening theme, ACTOR I and ACTOR II … as Johnson and Hanks … enter and run all over the stage trying to find Lincoln. The “boat” is preset at center. Ad-lib dialogue: “Where is he?” “We gotta go! Where’s Lincoln?” They can’t find him.)

ACTOR I: Abraham! Abraham! ACTOR II: Abraham, yer gonna miss this flatboat ta New Orleans. Ya better come on! ACTOR I: Pork barrels, hogs and everything ready to go. Folks in New Orleans need this. ACTOR II: Abraham! ACTOR I: Abraham! ACTOR II: Abraham! LINCOLN: (enters through audience) Hold ‘er boys. I’m-a comin’ and rarin’ to go! (vamp as Lincoln comes hurrying down the steps, tucking in his shirttail or putting on his shoes. He climbs aboard the boat with Johnson & Hanks.)

[SONG: ROLL UP THE SANGAMON] LINCOLN, ACTOR I & ACTOR II: Rollin’ to New Orleans! Watch that river roll! A prairie boy’s gonna stick his toe in the Gulf of Mexico! (short tag) Skip along my lady! Skip along my gal! Skip along and wave at me I’m down the river now! (musical tag) Rollin’ to New Orleans! Watch me roll along … Barrel o’ pork, and a bushel o’ corn, and fourteen yella hogs!

The pork is new as mornin’ The corn is mighty fresh Them yella hogs are snortin’ and make an awful mess! (short tag) Come on and roll on up the … up the Sangamon roll! We’re gonna roll on up and … feel the prairie wind blow! Come on and roll on up and … stash your troubles below! We’re gonna roll on up the … up the Sangamon roll! (musical tag) ACTOR II: (music under) Watch where you’re goin’, Lincoln! (they all duck to avoid overhanging willows) You nearly killed us! LINCOLN: (a glance at each, then) Uh … Look out? ACTOR I: Who’s drivin’ this boat? LINCOLN: The river, I suppose. ACTOR II: Then tell the river to watch where it’s goin’! ALL THREE: (singing) Keep an eye for branches! Keep an eye for sand! Just can’t wait to try my fate in the state of Louisian! Fare thee well my lady! Fare thee well my queen! I’ll love you well then bid farewell for a town called New Orleans! (tag) Come on and roll on up the … up the Sangamon roll! We’re gonna roll on up and … feel the prairie wind blow! Come on and roll on up and … stash your troubles below! We’re gonna roll on up the … up the Sangamon roll! ACTOR II: (as music continue under) Never seen the river this high before! ACTOR I: Too derned high. I don’t like it. LINCOLN: Can’t hit nothin’ floatin’ this high, boys! ACTOR I: Can’t see nothin’ either! God knows what’s down there in that current! ACTOR II: Lincoln! Mind that rudder! (Lincoln is busy gazing off at the beauty of the bottom land) ACTOR I: Lincoln! Watch where you’re headed! LINCOLN: ‘Ja ever see such a land, boys? ACTOR I: (pointing straight ahead) Lincoln! A tree! (and all are thrown off their feet as Lincoln quickly jerks the rudder to one side) LINCOLN: (as the two others catch their breath from this brush with death, Lincoln idly watches the tree float by) A persimmon, seems to me. ACTOR II: Lincoln! LINCOLN: Sorry. Black Oak. I shouda known. ALL THREE: (singing) Keep an eye for branches! Keep an eye for sand! Just can’t wait to try my fate in the state of Louisian! Fare thee well my lady! Fare thee well my queen! I’ll love you well then bid farewell for a town called New Orleans! (tag) Come on and roll on up the … up the Sangamon roll! We’re gonna roll on up and … feel the prairie wind blow! Come on and roll on up and … stash your troubles below! We’re gonna roll on up the … up the Sangamon roll! LINCOLN: Lookee yonder! New Salem! ACTOR I: It’s a dam, Lincoln! LINCOLN: I’ve heard it’s a mighty nice town. ACTOR I: Lincoln, you’re headed right for the dam! LINCOLN: River’s high. We can make it. ACTOR II: You’re loco, Lincoln! We’re gonna hit the New Salem dam. ACTOR I: And I can’t swim! LINCOLN: Then you best grab a hog. We’re gonna hit that dam! ACTOR I AND ACTOR II: (singing) Abraham! Abraham! Abraham! Abraham! (On the final beat of music, the boat crashes into the dam, spilling them all onto the floor.) ACTRESS I: (yells to boat) Welcome to New Salem! ACTRESS II: Hey, everbody! Come down to Rutledge’s Mill! There’s another boat stuck on the dam … and this one has live hogs on board! ACTRESS I: And men! ACTRESS II: And there’s corn spilt everywhere! ACTRESS I: And men! (The 3 men move about, try to pole off) ACTOR III: (Offutt): (from shore, yells to boat) Good night a’mighty! What in tarnation’s goin’ on? Be mighty careful you don’t knock any of them barrels overboard. If they sink or float, doesn’t make no difference. They be lost just the same! ACTRESS III: Denton Offutt! ACTOR III: Mornin’ Mrs. Warburton. ACTRESS III: Scuttle-butt has it, that’s your boat loaded with goods. ACTOR III: Dern if it ain’t. Hired those boys to build that boat and to raft hogs and barrel pork and corn to auction. They’re headed to New Orleans. ACTRESS III: Not now, they ain’t. ACTOR III: ‘Fraid you’re right, Mrs. Warburton. ‘Fraid your right! ACTRESS II: Offutt! Who’s on the boat? ACTOR III: Three fellas from Macon County. Hanks, Johnson and Lincoln. All experienced hands! ACTRESS II: Yeh, too bad they can’t float a boat. (to boat) Hey, you Macon County boys! How long you been hung up there? ACTOR II: (from the boat) ‘Bout a day. ACTRESS II: What’s it gonna take to get you loose? ACTOR I: (a pause, then) More water. ACTRESS II: Don’t fret. I hear we’re supposed to have some heavy rains … next spring! (laughs) ACTRESS I: Don’t you boys ever get any water in Macon County? ACTOR II: (to ACTOR I and Lincoln) We’re the laughin’ stock of the Sangamon. LINCOLN: (from boat) Mr. Offutt! ACTRESS III: Just hold ‘er there another nine months and you can walk out on the ice! LINCOLN: Mr. Offutt! ACTOR III: Yeh, Lincoln? LINCOLN: Have ‘em bring those flat boats alongside. We’re gonna unload these hogs. (to boys) OK boys, let’s move the barrels forward, shift all the weight to the front. We got a lot of water in here. Hand me that wood auger! (starts drilling) ACTOR III: Lincoln! What are you doin’? What’s he doin’? He’s … he’s drillin’ a hole my boat! You see what he’s doin’? Where’s my gun? LINCOLN: This front part is hanging over the dam. I’m gonna let the water out … lighten the load, then plug ‘er back up! ACTOR III: You’re gonna what? LINCOLN: I’m gonna drill a hole and let out the water! ACTOR III: It’ll never work! LINCOLN: You could be right. ACTOR III: What if it don’t? LINCOLN: Then Mr. Offutt, I reckon I’ll owe you a new boat. ACTOR III: It’ll never work! Give me my gun! Somebody help me find my … ACTRESS I: It’s movin’! Look! It’s starting to move! ACTRESS III: There she goes! It’s slidin’ off the dam. She’s free! LINCOLN: I’ll bung these holes. Get the barrels back in place to shift the weight! (to shore) Hold onto those hogs! We’ll be loading ‘em again. We’re going to New Orleans! ACTOR III: Lincoln, you’re a genius! I knew it’d work! You saved me a lot of money! You get back from New Orleans you can have a job in my store if ya want it! (Xing DS) I'm gonna build a steam boat to go up and down the Sangamon. She’ll have rollers for the shallow parts and runners for the ice. Lincoln will be my captain and, by golly, we’ll have a go! ACTRESS III: (Xing DS) New Salem, Illinois. April, 1831. That’s when most of us saw Abraham Lincoln for the first time. ACTRESS II: I saw him before you did! ACTRESS III: (ignores) May seem a little strange to you, but along about dusk on some summer evenings, those of us who used to live here come back to this hollow and talk … we relive … the days when New Salem was a thriving village of 100 souls. Our little place on the prairie didn’t last very long, only 10 years, starting in 1829. Very few people in history would have ever heard of us if that flatboat hadn’t hit the dam ... and along with it, a long-legged boy named Abraham. There wasn’t nobody that didn’t like that boy … at least after a bit. And we all had our own tales to tell … some of ‘em true! (fade) LINCOLN: (walks into scene where Ann is standing) ‘Scuse me. I’d like to … I’d like … ACTRESS I: Yes? LINCOLN: I’d like to arrange for room and board. I’d like to see the person in charge, Mr. Rutledge. ACTRESS I: I’m in charge. LINCOLN: Uh … you … ACTRESS I: You don’t think a girl has a mind? LINCOLN: No. I mean, yes. I mean … I’m Abraham Lincoln. ACTRESS I: Oh, I know who you are. Everyone knows who you are. I was there the day you hit the dam and I’ve seen few things smarter than the way you got that boat loose. LINCOLN: I … I thank you. ACTRESS I: And I’ve seen few things dumber than the way you got it stuck. LINCOLN: Oh. ACTRESS I: I hear you’re gonna clerk at Offutt’s store. I’m Ann Rutledge. LINCOLN: Oh, your father … ACTRESS I: My father owns this tavern … and the mill … and the farm … and … LINCOLN: … and I’m pleased to meet you, Miss Rutledge. ACTRESS I: You were gone a long time to New Orleans. LINCOLN: (stares at her. She is very pretty) Pleased to meet you, miss. ACTRESS I: You said that … and I was talking about your trip to New Orleans … LINCOLN: Yeh, I went to New Orleans … on a boat. ACTRESS I: That’s the ... uh ... best way to get there. Are you all right? LINCOLN: Oh, I’m fine. Fine. I was lost in thought … just admiring your nice blue hair. ACTRESS I: My blue hair? LINCOLN: Eyes. Eyes! Your blue eyes. That’s what I meant … I haven’t been around girls much. ACTRESS I: (sarcastic but with humor) Oh, really? … Well, if you’re going to be boarding here and working in New Salem, then you and I will be seeing each other all the time. LINCOLN: I’m honored. I mean, that you’d want to see me … ACTRESS I: Got no choice. It’s a small town. (exits) (music under, then out) (Lincoln walks through the town street) ACTOR II: (nearly bumping into a distracted Lincoln) Hey! Watch where you’re goin’! LINCOLN: Sorry. Awful sorry. Uh … My name is … ACTOR II: Abraham Lincoln ... the Dam Crasher. Hope you can earn your keep. (begins to exit) LINCOLN: Uh ... ACTOR II: (stopping) You really got a way with words, don’t cha? Can I help you with somethin’? LINCOLN: Would there be a book in this town? ACTOR II: Book? LINCOLN: Book. The kind you read. ACTOR II: Oh. That kind. You talk to Mentor Graham. He’s the schoolteacher. He’s got books. But you’re gonna have to do more than read to stay alive on this prairie. LINCOLN: (taking his hand) Mentor Graham. I thank you kindly, sir. Seems like there’s nothin’ but nice folks in this town. ACTOR II: (laughing) That means you ain’t met Jack Kelso. Just stay clear of that fella. LINCOLN: Who? (ACTOR II exits) Stay away from who? (but ACTOR II is gone) Uh … thanks. (moves on) Howdy. ACTOR I: Howdy. You’re Lincoln, aren’t you? LINCOLN: (smiling and taking Green’s hand) That seems the worst-kept secret in New Salem. ACTOR I: Bowling Green. Justice of the Peace. Only law within miles of here. Stop in and visit sometime. LINCOLN: Sure will. ‘Spose I could borrow some law books to read? ACTOR I: I’ve got proper books. LINCOLN: Proper? ACTOR I: Gets too hot of a summer time I raise my window and use the law books to prop ‘er open. LINCOLN: (laughs, then) Pleased to meet you, your honor. ACTOR I: Sure. (begins to exit, then stops) Why in tarnation would you want to read law books? I’m supposed to read ‘em and I don’t. LINCOLN: Just interested in law. Interested in everything, especially reading. ACTOR I: You’re welcome to ‘em. Stop by and see me anytime. LINCOLN: Lots of friendly people here. Everybody seems set on helping me along. ACTOR I: Yep, great little town. LINCOLN: All I’ve met is nice folks. ACTOR I: Then you ain’t met Jack. LINCOLN: Just who is this ... ACTOR I: Careful of Jack Kelso. He can take the straightest young fella in town and turn his mind around so he don’t know one end of a mule from another. (tipping his hat) Stop by. Just leave me one or two books … the hot weather’s on the way. (he leaves) Nice to meet you. ACTRESS III: (passes by) Yes, very nice to meet you, but I’ve heard you’ve been inquiring about Jack Kelso. I’d watch who you’re seen with if I were you, young man. LINCOLN: I was just … (but she is gone) ACTRESS II: (entering with ACTOR II) There he is. They say he’s inquirin’ as to Jack Kelso. ACTOR II: It’s a scandal if you ask me. No way for a newcomer to be actin’. (they exit) ACTOR III: (stumbling onto the stage) Damnation to Blue Bells! LINCOLN: (running to him) Help you, mister? ACTOR III: (in a single, disgusted breath) There ain’t no helpin’ me long as we got this toad-suckin’, butt-draggin’ God-awful mud up to armpits and you can’t even take one cussed step after another without gettin’ so gol-darned stuck that your head don’t know your belly from tree stump. LINCOLN: My name’s ... ACTOR III: I got enough troubles without botherin’ with strangers. I don’t care what your name is. All I can think about is this dog-drownin’ mud! LINCOLN: Sorry. ACTOR III: Just give me hand here, Lincoln. I got my back-quarter stuck in the mire. LINCOLN: (extends his hand, then stops) You know who I am? ACTOR III: Never heard of you. Now grab hold and tug, Abraham, I got some serious business to attend to. (Lincoln grabs his hand and heaves him out of his mud hole, sending them both crashing to the floor) Glad to meet cha. What’d you say your name was? LINCOLN: But you just ... ACTOR III: (looking up at the sun) Shoot! Look at that! Almost noon and I still ain’t got myself to work! I gotta go! (rising and making a move to exit) LINCOLN: I didn’t catch your name. ACTOR III: I could use an extra hand. You wanna help or are gonna just sit there all day? LINCOLN: Sure thing. What’s your line of work? ACTOR III: Fishin’. LINCOLN: You sell fish? ACTOR III: I eat fish. First I catch ‘em then I eat ‘em. Don’t complicate things for me. Come on, I can hear ‘em already! LINCOLN: What? ACTOR III: Catfish! Listen! He’s callin’ my name! LINCOLN: I don’t believe I caught your … ACTOR III: Let’s go! (Kelso takes off with Lincoln in tow, ACTOR III gets fishing poles and they finally setting down to the “water hole,” dangling their feet over the edge of a platform) (with a huge sigh) Now that’s better! What’s a matter? You never fished before? LINCOLN: I guess I’m a bit skitterish today. Seems like everbody’s warned me about this Jack Kelso fella and I was just wonderin’ if maybe you were … ACTOR III: Kelso! Good God A’mighty! Don’t mess with that cuss! Craziest loon on the Sangamon! LINCOLN: That’s what I’ve heard. ACTOR III: Word about town on you is that you like to read. LINCOLN: Word travels fast. ACTOR III: I got some books you can borrow. The complete works of Shakespeare; most of the poetry of Bobby Burns. LINCOLN: Bobby Burns? Is he from around here? ACTOR III: Stale crackers, boy! Bobby Burns is Scotland’s greatest poet … maybe the world’s! Ya don’t know the rolling verse of Bobby Burns? (suddenly stricken with the muse, a dramatic explosion) Wee sleekit, cow’rin, tim’rouse beastie, O, what a panic’s in they breastie! Thou need na start awa sae hasty, Wi bickering brattle! I wad be laith to rin an chase thee, Wi murdering pattle! LINCOLN: (looks at him, wide-eyed) ACTOR III: That was Burns. “To a Wee Mouse.” LINCOLN: Gosh. ACTOR III: That’s all you’ve got say? “Gosh”? LINCOLN: Sorry. I’ve never had the chance to read him. ACTOR III: He’s one of us, Lincoln. That’s why we call him “Bobby” Burns. Can’t see us referring to “Billy” Shakespeare can you? Course not. LINCOLN: I heard of Shakespeare … ACTOR III: Plays. He wrote plays. Ahh … Some great stuff. From Hamlet: “To be or not to be, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against the seas of troubles and by opposing end them …” LINCOLN: That’s … that’s a lot to think about. ACTOR III: You got a bite. LINCOLN: (jerks the line) ACTOR III: You missed. Sure is. LINCOLN: But what’s it mean? ACTOR III: You lost your fish. LINCOLN: I mean Shakespeare. ACTOR III: You gotta wrap the worm around three times then spit! Mean? It means Hamlet is wondering whether it is more noble to quietly suffer when people say outrageous things about you, or to attack! Your line’s too slack. Pull it up, boy! To take up arms against your troubles! And … Lincoln! That’s what he does. (pulling Lincoln’s line taut) Good grief, ain’t you never fished before? He faces all the problems head on! Quite a fellow. You should read Hamlet. LINCOLN: Can I borrow it? ACTOR III: Sure. But first, you need to read Bobby Burns. “A man’s a man, for all that!” LINCOLN: All right, if you say so. ACTOR III: “For all that and all that! A man’s a man …” (taking a breath) You know, this is plumb sappin’ my fishin’ muscles. Sit back and give the fish a chance to find us. (he carefully leans over the “creek” and whispers to the fish) Wee sleekit, cow’rin beastie! O that I might catch this fishie!” LINCOLN: (taken by his concentration, leaning over and also whispering) By the way. I didn’t catch the name. ACTOR III: (still looking into the waters, whispering so’s not to scare the fishies) Kelso. Jack Kelso. Pleased to meet you. (lights snap out) ACTRESS II: (school-marmish) Young Lincoln! Get over here! You want some advice? LINCOLN: Well, I … ACTRESS II: Then you got it. I’d pay attention to this New Salem if I were you! God only knows why I moved here, but I’ll tell you why I stay! It’s a special place! Maybe … what? … a hundred people? And six have college degrees from that Jacksonville school! LINCOLN: That’s … that’s plumb astounding. ACTRESS II: And don’t be thinkin’ the rest of us are rubes, neither! There’s a whole bunch of savvy folks around here who haven’t had a shot at book learnin’. You can learn a lot from ‘em. LINCOLN: I appreciate that, M’am. ACTRESS II: You should. So you’d best pay attention to what’s goin’ on. And just because you’re a pretty sharp fella, that don’t mean you don’t need book learnin’. LINCOLN: Matter of fact, I plan to start readin’ Robert Burns tonight. ACTRESS II: Burns! Good God Almighty! You been talkin’ to that no account Jack Kelso! ACTOR I: (lights up on another stage area. Man is talking to Lincoln who wanders into scene) It’s beyond simple addition and subtraction. It’s geometry! It has to do with areas and shapes and sizes. For example, what if you survey a piece of land to find out how many acres are in it? LINCOLN: I can’t imagine that I’d ever want to survey anything. ACTOR I: Well, imagine it then! A good education involves knowing how to do some things before you need ‘em. All right! Here are some dimensions of an irregular shaped piece of property. Tell me how much land is in it. (lights fade) ACTRESS I: (lights comes up and Lincoln moves into scene) First you need to work on multiplying by 10’s and by hundreds. You should be able to look at two numbers and have an idea of the approximate answer. (lights down) ACTOR III (Kelso): (lights up, Lincoln moves in) No, no, no! Julius Caesar isn’t about history! It’s about political treachery! It’s about protecting your backside! (fade) ACTRESS III: (to Lincoln) Sure I have some books and you’re welcome to borrow ‘em anytime. LINCOLN: Where do you live? ACTRESS III: Six mile northwest. LINCOLN: I’ll be there! ACTOR II: (Graham): (lights up) … and I can teach you grammar or my name’s not Mentor Graham. I’ve been teaching school quite a few years and I can teach anyone who’s willing to work. Now. About your assignment. You did not correctly identify the subject of the sentence. You picked the object of the preposition. LINCOLN: They’re both nouns. How do you know the difference? ACTOR II: The difference is that one is the object of the preposition … and one isn’t. Look, Master Lincoln. Let’s try some writing, shall we? Surely you’ve had some experiences you can write about. LINCOLN: I’m not rightly sure I have. I’m just a Kentucky boy, sir. ACTOR II: Write what’s inside you, son. Write about what moves you … what’s stirred that Kentucky blood of yours. LINCOLN: But what if I ... ACTOR II: Don’t think, for God’s sake! Feel! Feel, boy! LINCOLN: (walks out of scene toward audience, beginning to write then coming away from his notes to speak to the audience) Taking that flatboat of goods to New Orleans set a picture in my mind I’ll never forget … ever. I’d been to New Orleans some years ago, and I saw slaves on the farms of Kentucky. But that trip some months ago gave me the first sickening taste of what slavery really is. There was an auction, where they were selling black people to wealthy land owners. Young black people … caked with dirt from being bound and dragged through streets, some crying for water and food and being whipped for doing so … were held up in the greatest shame for public bidding. Their ragged clothes were torn from their bodies in many cases; their body parts exposed so the bidders could view the goods. They were treated worse than any animals. The sight gave me the most wretched feeling in my stomach I’ve ever had. I felt terrible for them, and exceedingly grateful that I wasn’t one of them. I said to those I was with, “... By God boys, let’s get away from this. If I ever get the chance to hit slavery, I’ll hit it hard.” (music comes in under) I’ve thought about it a hundred times since then. Seems I can’t git it out of my mind.

[SONG: THE FREEDOM WIND] LINCOLN: (sings) Sometimes in the evenin’ When it seems the earth is breathin’ and the stars roll in And the night begins, I feel a breeze start blowin’ And in my heart I’m knowin’ it’s come back again … It’s the Freedom Wind.

Ain’t no one can catch it Ain’t no wind can match it when it’s blowin’ though When it’s callin’ you … And I can’t hardly help it, But feel that wind myself And I call back again … To the Freedom Wind. (dialogue) I don’t even know what it is I hear in that old Prairie Wind. Maybe I’m daft, but it just sounds like … well, just like it was pullin’ me someplace … somewhere I’d never been before and some place ... some place I just ought to be …

Sometimes when it blows I’ve got a feelin’ that it knows That there’s a place for me … Where I’ve got to be. I feel the breeze around me, and I hear the lonely sounds of “Come and go with me ... the Wind that Freedom brings.”

Oh well a flood can drown the land, Tear the rocks out from the sand but it goes back again … Oh, it goes back again. And the fire can rage and roll but the flames must all turn cold When the rains come down ... the cooling rains come down. But there’s somethin’ ‘bout the wind that you can’t stop And you can’t bend, and you can’t stay the hand that frees While hatred rages. There ain’t no power on earth that’s like a gift that’s ours from birth And it blows the wind of freedom through the ages!

Sometimes in the evenin’ When it seems the earth is breathin’ and the stars roll in And the night begins, I feel a breeze start blowin’ And in my heart I’m knowin’ it’s come back again … It’s the Freedom Wind. ACTOR III: (to audience) So I took that money I made selling those goods in New Orleans and opened me a general store in New Salem. Smartest thing I ever did was to hire young Lincoln as a clerk. He was a good draw with them stories of his, even if folks were too busy listenin’ to buy much. Lincoln was just the most likable cuss you’d ever want to meet. (fade) LINCOLN: (at the general store, fade in) ... and I started with an ax at about age 9 and had one in my hand ever since. We chopped down the trees and built that flat boat we took to New Orleans. ACTRESS III: Yeh, the boat. Tell these the guys about Offutt’s hogs, Lincoln. That’s my favorite. LINCOLN: Now this ain’t a regular New Salem story. This one’s true! Last March, Hanks, Johnson and me was takin’ that flat boat of goods to New Orleans, along with 30 live hogs. Well, Denton Offutt couldn’t get those hogs onto the flat boat. Ever time they’d see the water, they’d spook. So Offutt got this idea … he’d sew their eyes shut. He allowed as how if they couldn’t see the water, they wouldn’t spook. So he sewed their eyes shut! You ever try to get a hog to hold still to sew his eyes shut? This is not a pleasant day for the hog. ACTOR II: Now that’s a jim-dandy of an idea! LINCOLN: Sure was. ‘Cept it didn’t work. He couldn’t drive those hogs onto the boat because the hogs couldn’t see which way they were going. The derned things kept fallin’ in the river! We finally unstitched them, tied their feet and carried them on board. (they laugh) ACTOR II: You can tell a story, Lincoln. Where’d you get it? LINCOLN: My family was Kentucky farmers. The biggest story tellers in the country. My grandpappy in Kentuck once heard a fella braggin’ about his crop of hay. The fella said he had so much that he filled both barns and had to stack the rest outside. Grandad looked at him and said, “One year I raised so much hay, we stacked as much as we could outside and had to put the rest in the barn!” ACTOR I: You know, Lincoln, you could travel with one of them medicine shows. Heck, I’d pay to hear you talk. I mean if you weren’t so derned … LINCOLN: Yeh? ACTOR I: (embarrassed) Well, I mean ... you know, if you weren’t so … LINCOLN: Ugly? ACTOR I: I didn’t say that. LINCOLN: Didn’t have to. I was born in Kentuck. When I was two months old I was the most handsome child in Kentucky. We had an old Negro nurse who took care of me. One day some people came down the river and they had a baby boy. She swapped me for that boy even up … and he was such a plain looking child, I ended up looking like this. (all laugh except ACTOR I) ACTOR I: I don’t get it. LINCOLN: Let me tell it this way: I was walking down the street in Springfield one day and this woman came up to me and said, “I think you’re the homeliest man I ever saw!” “Yes, madam, but I can’t help that,” I replied. “No, I suppose not,” she said, “but you might stay at home!” (laughs heartily and exits) Be back directly. ACTOR II: Whoa, look who’s comin’! The Clary’s Grove boys and I’ll bet they’re looking for trouble as usual. You hear what they did to James Jordan? Put that old lard butt in a barrel and rolled him down to the Sangamon! Wouldn’t of been for that oak tree, he’d be bobbin’ his way to St. Louis right now! ACTRESS III: I think it’s time I went home. (but she is met by Armstrong who stops him) ACTOR III: (Kelso): Hey, everbody. ALL: Hi, Jack. Hello, Thomas. ACTOR III: Lookin’ for Lincoln … the new fella. Hear he’s pretty smart. Guess I’d like to see just how smart. ACTOR I: Lincoln? Oh, he’ll be right back … but you don’t go messin’ with him. He’s tougher than a bundle of hickory. Chops down trees with a single blow of the ax. No one has ever bested him and doubt if they ever will. ACTOR III: Oh, is that right? Well, we’ll just see about that. He never met the boys from Clarys’s Grove and he never met Jack Armstrong. Where is he? ACTOR I: He just stepped outside. Probably to say his prayers! Here he comes now. LINCOLN: (enters) (all is quiet) Howdy. ACTOR III: Lincoln? The name’s Armstrong. Jack Armstrong from Clary’s Grove. (walks to him. Grabs his hand and squeezes HARD and HARDER) Pleased to meet ya. (Lincoln tries not to grimace but he is caught unaware) LINCOLN: (flexes hurt hand) I’ve seldom met anyone quite so glad to see me. ACTOR III: Came over to wrestle you. They tell me you’re pretty strong. You and I gonna wrestle … just to sort of welcome you to the Sangamo country. LINCOLN: Oh, I ain’t much in the mood to wrestle, I guess. ACTOR III: I didn’t remember givin’ you a choice. No room in this county for milk-maids. Unless you’re feared. That it? You feared to come up agin me? Then every time I see you I want you to move outa my way. LINCOLN: Reckon I won’t be doing that, so maybe we’d better have at it. ACTOR III: That’s good. Real good. Two outa three falls? LINCOLN: I’d prefer Kentucky rules. ACTOR III: What’s that? LINCOLN: One fall. Winner takes all. ACTOR III: What about the loser? LINCOLN: I don’t rightly know. We always buried him. ACTOR III: (is brought up short for a moment as he nervously eyes his friends) (finally) I reckon that’ll do for me. I’m gonna need some room. Let’s take this outdoors. (The two men exit as the music comes up and the others gather at “the door,” looking outside. There is variety of cheers and shouts as they watch the offstage match.) ACTOR II: Get ‘em, Jack! ACTOR I: Hang on, Lincoln! ACTRESS III: Look at ‘em go at it! ACTOR II: Grab his neck, Jack! ACTOR I: There goes the drainpipe! ACTRESS II: And the hitchin’ post! ACTOR II: Jack’s gettin’ whupped! (and he begins to rush to his aid) ACTOR I: No you don’t! This is a fair fight! ACTOR II: (pushing him aside) Get your hands off me! (rushes off) ACTRESS II: You coward! ACTOR I: Take ‘em, Lincoln! Don’t let ‘em … Don’t let ‘em … Don’t … (and Lincoln comes rolling onto the stage, much the worse for wear, followed shortly by the Clary’s Grove boys) ACTRESS II: (quickly jumping between the warring parties as the Clary’s boys head for Lincoln again) Hold it! You said a fair fight! ACTOR III: (exhausted) You give up? LINCOLN: No, I don’t think I do. ACTOR III: OK. Tell you what. I’ll give you a draw. I’d keep at you but I need to get to Clary’s Grove before dark. LINCOLN: Draw sounds reasonable to me. And a might more comfortable. ACTOR III: You’re a good man, Lincoln. I coulda whipped you but you’re a good man. LINCOLN: And you, Jack. Least ways you say what you mean and I gotta admire that in a fella. ACTOR III: You know, I gotta a feelin’ that you’re the kind of fella I’d run the river with. LINCOLN: Two outa three? ACTOR III: (smiles) And we’d bury the loser. LINCOLN: I think I’m gonna like New Salem. A man knows where he stands. ACTOR III: ‘Specially if he stands on my spot. That’s what comes from bein’ free, Lincoln. I didn’t mean to show you no disrespect. Just had to see what you amounted to. Freedom’ll do that to a fella on this prairie.

[SONG: GOOD TO BE FREE] ALL: (singing) Well, gee it’s good, it’s so dog-goned good, It’s more than good to be free now! Gee, it’s nice just to love your life Dog-goned good to be free! ACTOR III: Old John Brown down in Petersburg town’s Got a wife and fourteen kids It takes all month just to get ‘em up And year to get ‘em to bed! But Old John Brown down Petersburg town’s Got a smile when he’s at home. He says it seems when you’ve got fourteen Then at least you’re never alone! ALL: Well, gee it’s good, it’s so dog-goned good, It’s more than good to be free now! Gee, it’s nice just to love your life Dog-goned good to be free! LINCOLN: Lots of times it comes to mind That there ain’t no place for me! I get so down that I touch the ground And my chin sits on my knee! Then I just look up when things get tough And I smell the prairie breeze. I think of folks who’ve kept their hopes And most got worse than me! ALL: Well, gee it’s good, it’s so dog-goned good, It’s more than good to be free now! Gee, it’s nice just to love your life Dog-goned good to be free! SOLO: Aunt Roseanne from Birmingham’s Lived over eighty years. She don’t complain about her pains Or the ringin’ in her ears. Now Aunt Roseanne from Birmingham Is still half-young they said. She likes to claim that all her pain Is better than bein’ dead! ALL: Well, gee it’s good, it’s so dog-goned good, It’s more than good to be free now! Gee, it’s nice just to love your life Dog-goned good to be free! SOLO: Parson Wren on the Sangamon Bend Like’s to shout ‘bout hell and fire! He preaches hard ‘bout the wrath of God He could make a rock perspire! But Parson Wren on the Sangamon Bend Walks straight when the sun is bright. But he dips his pole in the Sangamon hole And he fishes like hell all night. (dance break) ALL: Well, gee it’s good, it’s so dog-goned good, It’s more than good to be free now! Gee, it’s nice just to love your life Dog-goned good to be free! Well, gee it’s good, it’s so dog-goned good, It’s more than good to be free now! Gee, it’s nice just to love your life Dog-goned good …

ACTOR III: (extending his hand to Lincoln) A draw? LINCOLN: A draw it is. (extends hand to shake) (takes Jack’s hand and squeezes hard. Jack reacts.) ALL (singing): To Be Free!

ACTRESS III: (addresses the audience, reading the minutes of the meeting) Here ye, and all take notice, that the New Salem Temperance Society, being duly established in the year 1831, held its annual meeting on November 7. The temperance reformation has been met at every corner and opportunity by the most determined opposition, by men whose appetites have control over their judgment. Success has been greater than could reasonably be expected considering our circumstances. Membership has increased 24 members making a total in good standing of 76. Six members were expelled for breach of rules, and one withdrawn at the request of the church.. A local merchant unhappily reports that since our Society was formed he now sells only ¼ as much liquor. (smiling) Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord. Signed, S. Duncan, Secretary.

(scene opens with Lincoln at the river) ACTRESS I: (Ann): Abraham? Is that you? LINCOLN: Miss Ann! Good evening. Whatta you doing down here at the river? ACTRESS I: Just watchin’ the river, Abraham. And what brings you here? LINCOLN: Don’t know. Guess I just sorta stumbled onto ya. ACTRESS I: That’s the fourth time today. For a strong young man, you sure do a lot of stumblin’. LINCOLN: I’m sorry, Miss Ann, if I ... ACTRESS I: You ever wonder where it’s going? LINCOLN: Me? I was just goin’ down to the mill to … ACTRESS I: I mean the river. Ever wonder where it’s headed? LINCOLN: Beardstown I reckon. ACTRESS I: What? LINCOLN: Beardstown. It’s going to Beardstown, then St. Louis and New Orleans. ACTRESS I: Don’t you have a flicker of romance in that whole gangly body of yours, Abraham? LINCOLN: Romance? ACTRESS I: Adventure! Excitement! The kinda stuff that puts legs onto your dreams and just takes off runnin’! LINCOLN: (a beat, then) Well, I do dream. And I do like watchin’ that old Sangamon roll along. ACTRESS I: It’s a lonely river. Have you noticed that? Always alone. Always movin’. Sometimes I feel like that river … that life is just sweeping me along to someplace. I just wish I knew where it was takin’ me. LINCOLN: A might further than Beardstown, I spect. (she turns … is he making fun of her? … then sees Lincoln’s gentle smile) I wonder the same thing, Miss Ann. Lots of folks are content to just sit here in Salem and watch the river roll by ‘em, but I know how you’re feelin’. I keep thinkin’ there’s more about me than two long legs and a place to sit. ACTRESS I: It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it? LINCOLN: Oh, sure. Yeh, it is. ACTRESS I: Want to know why I’m so happy? LINCOLN: (smiling) I just s’posed it was ‘cause you’re the prettiest gal in New Salem. ACTRESS I: You, Mr. Lincoln, are a purebred, long-shanked Kentucky flirt. LINCOLN: (bowing low) I gratefully acknowledge the compliment. ACTRESS I: Well, since you’re not going to ask, I’ll tell you why I’m smilin’. It’s finally happened. LINCOLN: What? ACTRESS I: You ever love somebody, Abraham? LINCOLN: (embarrassed, turning away) Miss Ann … ACTRESS I: (turning him back to her) I mean really loved ‘em. Like you was gonna bust or somethin’? LINCOLN: (looks up the hill in the direction of Ann’s father or anyone else who might be listening) I reckon I have. ACTRESS I: What was it like? LINCOLN: Miss Ann! ACTRESS I: Come on. Tell me. LINCOLN: Miss Ann, a fella who looks like me has gotta be careful about who he loves. I ain’t the smartest but I ain’t blind, either. There ain’t a lot I got that can recommend me. My ears are too big. My legs are too long. I got a face that’d stop a mad bull. ACTRESS I: I think you’re a very attractive man, Abraham. LINCOLN: You shame me, Miss Ann. ACTRESS I: Not at all. Beauty, says my mama, is where you find it. And it’s the same with love. Not too long ago I was going about my business as usual, when a man moved into the village and into my life. He is a man of humor. He is kind and understanding. He works hard. He is everything a girl could want. And I know how he feels about me. In short. I’m in love! I’ve really fallen in love for the first time in my life. LINCOLN: I had no idea. ACTRESS I: Well, it’s time you did, Mr. Lincoln. It’s high time you did. And that’s why I come down to this lonely old river every evenin’. Look there. Just sit down and look at that old river with me. See how lonely it looks. (sings)

[SONG: LONELY RIVER] ANN: There’s nothin’ I can see Like the feelin’ comes on me when I’m thinkin’ ‘Bout that river. And there’s nothin’ I can do But to up and follow you oh, river … Oh Lonely River.

Roll, river, roll! Come take me away with you. My heart keeps hopin’ that where you’re goin’ Is where I’m goin’, too! Roll, river, roll! Keep churnin’ inside of me When you start rollin’, my dreams start growin’ So Lonely River roll!

They say that river sings And tells of dreams and things when you listen Oh so closely And I can hear my name … I can hear that song it sings oh so softly … Oh, Lonely River! BOTH: Roll, river, roll! Come take me away with you. My heart keeps hopin’ that where you’re goin’ Is where I’m goin’, too! Roll, river, roll! Keep churnin’ inside of me When you start rollin’, my dreams start growin’ So Lonely River roll! LINCOLN: A river rolls alone Got no ending, got no home but it’s rollin’ Oh so surely. Won’t you share my dream Oh won’t you take me down your stream, oh river… Oh, Lonely River! BOTH: Roll, river, roll! Come take me away with you. My heart keeps hopin’ that where you’re goin’ Is where I’m goin’, too! Roll, river, roll! Keep churnin’ inside of me When you start rollin’, my dreams start growin’ So Lonely River roll!

LINCOLN: (as the music continues under) I can’t remember ever feelin’ quite this good, Miss Ann. ACTRESS I: Nor I, Mr. Lincoln. LINCOLN: That young man you love is the luckiest fella in this town. ACTRESS I: I thank you. And I cannot wait to run and tell him right now … just how I feel! (she begins to exit) LINCOLN: But Miss Ann … ACTRESS I: Oh! I didn’t tell you his name! It’s John! Mr. John McNeil! (and she exits) LINCOLN: (sings) A river rolls alone Got no ending, got no home but it’s rollin’ Oh so surely. Won’t you share my dream Oh won’t you take me down your stream, oh river… Oh, Lonely River!

Roll, river, roll! Come take me away with you. My heart keeps hopin’ that where you’re goin’ Is where I’m goin’, too! Roll, river, roll! Keep churnin’ inside of me ... (and as the music continues, Lincoln cannot. He slowly lowers his head as the lights dim out)

ACTOR I: (enters) Abraham Lincoln! LINCOLN: Right here. Oh, hello there, Ferguson. ACTOR I: I need someone who can write, legal like, to prepare me a bill of sale. I’m gonna sell the ferry business. LINCOLN: You just bought it in October. ACTOR I: That’s right. And now I’m gonna sell it. Will you draw up a paper or not? LINCOLN: Be glad to help. (talks as he gets out paper and pen) That reminds me, John, of a fella that came in here not too long ago. Asked real loud like if’n there was anyone who could write. I told him I could. He said he wanted to write a letter to the clumsiest man in the county, Abraham Lincoln. I told him I was Abraham Lincoln. He said, “Good, that’ll just save me a piece of paper.” He went on, “Everbody used to make fun of me for bein’ so awkward until you came along, and I just wanted to thank you.” (they laugh at this really funny story) Just tell me what you want in this. ACTOR I: I want to sell the ferry business to Alexander Trent for $35. LINCOLN: (takes paper and pen, scratches for a few minutes, then) How ‘bout this: “Know all men by these present that I, John Ferguson, for and in consideration of the sum of $35 have given, granted, bargained and sold all my right and title to the New Salem ferry in Sangamon County unto Alexander Trent. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 25th of January, 1832.” ACTOR I: (whistles, then) You’re a born lawyer, Lincoln. You’ve charged me two bits and I didn’t understand a word of it. (fade)

ACTOR II: (enters) Hey, listen up! Did ya hear the news? We’re at War! War has been declared! ACTOR III: War? Who is it? The Mexicans? ACTOR II: No, it’s the … ACTOR III: The French comin’ thru Canada? I knew it! ACTOR II: Would ya just listen! ACTOR III: Ah-ha! Them! It’s the British again! ACTOR II: Indians! ACTOR III: (pause) Holy shucks! India’s a long way away from here! ACTOR II: No, it’s Blackhawk! He’s crossed the Mississippi breakin’ the treaty. And he’s got a thousand warriors they say! They’ve invaded Illinois! ACTRESS II: God help us! They’re gonna loot and plunder! I gotta run home and shut my windows! (begins to exit in a hurry) LINCOLN: Blackhawk? He must be 70 years old. ACTRESS II: Good. Then I can walk. ACTOR II: Governor Reynolds has issued a call for troops to drive the red-skins off’n our land. Sangamon County is supposed to give 350 volunteers, with horses. Assemble at Beardstown. We’ll attack from there! (drum cadence begins under as the troops make a very loose formation and begin to march)

[SONG: THE SANGAMON VOLUNTEERS] THE SOLDIERS: We left our home in Sangamon from every farm and town! Old Blackhawk was a ragin’ and we had to hunt him down! From Clary’s Grove to parts unknown from Petersburg to here! We’ll fight for our dear mothers and the Sangamon volunteers! (drums continue under) [they re-assemble at “Beardstown”] ACTRESS III: OK. All you Sangamon County volunteers … it’s time to vote. You’re going to need a captain, an officer in charge. Form a line behind the man you want as your leader. Most votes is elected captain. (3 line-up behind Lincoln , 2 behind ACTOR I. ACTOR I looks at his line, then moves behind Lincoln with his group) ACTOR I: Congratulations on your first elected office. THE SOLDIERS: From Athens came the Johnson boys the Withers and Smiths They came to drive the Indians across the Mississip! From Sugar Grove the boys we know have joined us over here! We’ll fight for Captain Lincoln and the Sangamon volunteers! (cadence under)

LINCOLN: What do we do? ACTRESS I: You’re the captain. You tell us. LINCOLN: Anybody ever been a soldier before? (all heads shake “no”) Well, then it’ll be a might harder for you to catch my mistakes. All right! Here we go! To make sure we’re in fightin’ condition, I command that we leave our horses here and march ten miles at a run. (there is quiet while everyone stares) ACTOR III: Captain? LINCOLN: Yes, Armstrong? ACTOR III: Go to the devil … sir! THE SOLDIERS: We marched a hundred miles by day and twice as much by night A-scratchin’ for the enemy and itchin’ for a fight! We’ve yet to see an Indian but one thing’s mighty clear We’ll fight for Captain Lincoln and the Sangamon volunteers! (cadence under) LINCOLN: (sees the prevailing mood) I think that’s enough for one day. We will march … in formation … across that road, through the opening in that fence and rest beneath those shade trees. ACTOR III: Yes, sir! ALL: Yes, sir! LINCOLN: Fall in. (they scramble, but do) Forward march. (they march a few steps) Company halt. (he ponders) ACTOR II: Sir! How we gonna march in formation through that there small opening in the fence? LINCOLN: I’m not rightly sure what command I give to get this formation through that small break. How long have I been your captain, sergeant? ACTOR I: ‘Bout ten days, sir. LINCOLN: In spite of my long career as a military officer, I can’t for the life of me think of the right command. (pause) Company dismissed. (they all look at him) Company … reassemble on the other side of that fence. (they do) Company attention. Forward march! (they all go to the tree and relax) THE SOLDIERS: We left our home in Sangamon from every farm and town! Old Blackhawk was a ragin’ and we had to hunt him down! From Clary’s Grove to parts unknown from Petersburg to here! We’ll fight for Captain Lincoln and the Sangamon volunteers! ACTRESS I: Abraham. You scared? I mean goin’ ta war and all? LINCOLN: Well … I ‘speck I am. I done a heap of fightin’ in my time but it was always one fella wrestlin’ with another over braggin’ rights. I reckon I never fought anyone who was trying ta kill me. I s’pose I look at that as a different sort of thing altogether. ACTOR II: I ain’t scared. It’s jist Indians we’re fightin’. Why, they’ll skedadle as soon as they see us. (they all stare at ACTOR II) Come on! Don’t tell me you’re gettin’ scared! (a beat, they look at each other) I can’t believe this! What a bunch of mama’s boys! Besides? Whatta we got to lose? LINCOLN: (walks over to ACTOR II and lifts a few strands hair as the others stare) ACTOR II: (finally getting the point) I don’t think I feel so good. LINCOLN: We’ve rested aplenty. Let’s all just meet over there on the road and amble on down to the war. Ready? Here we go. (they march toward the exit as they sing) THE SOLDIERS: (with less enthusiasm now, eventually trickling off to a whistled tune) We left our home in Sangamon from every farm and town! Old Blackhawk was a ragin’ and we had to hunt him down! From Clary’s Grove to parts unknown from Petersburg to here! We’ll fight for Captain Lincoln and the Sangamon volunteers! ACTRESS III: Sangamon County contributed a lot of brave men to participate in the Blackhawk War … or so they said. Most of them only served for one month but they brought back stories that made ‘em sound as if they’d been fightin’ for years. The original group of volunteers was mustered out on May 27, 1832. Abraham re-enlisted … twice … and didn’t get back to New Salem until mid-July … and he walked back all the way from the Southern Michigan territory to Havana, Illinois. Oh … our war heroes meet regularly at Hills Store & Tavern. ACTOR III: (in the tavern) Abraham, we were all dern glad to get out of the militia. A month’s enough of that! Why’d you re-enlist? LINCOLN: When I got mustered out … when you boys did … I stood there and said to myself, “Now what? You got no job and no one waitin’ on you and no reason to hurry back to Salem. I was out of work … and since there was no danger of any fighting while in the army, I decided to sign up again. I was a private in Captain Isle’s regiment then signed on again in Capt. Jacob Early’s Spy Battalion. Didn’t have much to spy on, though. I now know every field and swamp in the lower Michigan Territory. I got to where I knew the mosquitoes by name. That was the only enemy we found. Called ‘em the Great MosQuita Tribe! ACTOR II: See any Indians? LINCOLN: Never did. In all my three months I never did see an Indian. ACTOR III: Me neither. Can’t prove it by me that there is a Chief Blackhawk, or that he ever crossed the river. I never even met any soldier who laid sight on any one of his tribe. ACTOR I: ‘Cept the Great MosQuita. ACTOR III: Boys, I think we must remember … that we have an obligation here … an obligation to the people of New Salem and Sangamon County. ACTOR II: Obligation to do what? ACTOR III: To be war heroes. This town was only invented a couple of years ago. They ain’t had no war heroes and ain’t likely to have none … ‘cept us! If we go around tellin’ everyone that we never even seen an Indian … none of us … we’ll be the laughin’ stock of the country-side. ACTOR I: You mean make up lies? Make up stories about what we done? ACTOR III: No, no ... of course not. We don’t have to lie. Just don’t fill in all the details. LINCOLN: You expect us to tell folks about our war with the skeeters? Now that’d be a good laugh on us. ‘Course, they was the bloodiest things I ever run into. Lord but I hated them things! ACTOR II: And the swamps! ACTOR III: And the mud. ACTOR I: And the poor food. ACTOR III: And the mud. ACTOR II: And the heat. ACTRESS I: (entering with the others) There they are! (much rejoicing) ACTRESS II: My but we’re proud of you boys! Blackhawk never set foot in my house thanks to you! ACTRESS I: There’s nothin’ like a brave soldier to set a girl’s heart aglow! ACTRESS II: Tell us how you did it! ACTRESS I: Tell us how you won the war! ACTOR I: (with false modesty) It’s all I can do to talk about it, ladies. ACTRESS II: Oh, please! ACTOR I: It’s not a tale for tender ears. ACTRESS II: (grabbing ACTRESS I to steel herself against the blow) Stand by me, dear sister! We must listen to this tale of bravery and hardship! ACTOR I: (singing) I thought I’d seen about the worst that war could do to man. But I had never seen The Great and Dark MosQuita band. (the tavern crowed reacts in horror) They are the largest tribe of all that crawl the swamps and seas The dreaded Great MosQuita nearly made the death of me! ACTOR II: They’re not the largest warriors now, that ever went to war. But they’re the biggest army when they swarm upon your door. They come by night and come by day and come as if with wings! The dreaded Great MosQuita tribe, with arrows tipped like stings! ACTOR III: There’s not a man escapes ‘em when they swarm upon your back. No horse can yet outrun ‘em when they up and shout attack. They covered horse, they covered man, they covered legs and arms! The Great MosQuita flew upon on us comin’ down in swarms! ACTRESS I: But what about you, Abraham? ACTRESS III: Yeh. You’re mighty silent on all this. LINCOLN: Me? Well, to tell the truth … ACTOR I: Uh-oh. ACTOR III: Here it comes. LINCOLN: (singing) It’s time the truth were told about this Great MosQuita crew. It seems there’s not a fella here can rightly tell it true. ACTOR II: Dern! He’s gonna … LINCOLN: Of all the fights I ever fought, and I can now recall, The Great MosQuita tribe was sure the awfulest of all! (smiles from the soldiers) Their knives cut through my flesh ‘til I could hardly walk an inch. To hear these fellas tell it, well you’d think it was a cinch! It was the awfulest bloodshed! A war that can’t be won! When you take on MosQuita, boy, it’s sure that you’ll get stung! (cheers, then) ALL: We left our home in Sangamon from every farm and town! Old Blackhawk was a ragin’ and we had to hunt him down! From Clary’s’s Grove to parts unknown from Petersburg to here! We’ll fight for Captain Lincoln and the Sangamon volunteers!

ACTRESS III: But Abraham! Why’d you walk home from Southern Michigan? ABRAHAM: Somebody stole my horse! (all laugh and the party breaks up) ACTRESS II: (as the group moves off stage) Abraham. You wanta walk with us? LINCOLN: No, thanks. Think I’ll go for a walk down by the river. Tell you the truth, it’s just good to be back. ACTRESS II: For how long? They say you’ve announced your bid for state legislator. ACTRESS I: You movin’ on, Mr. Lincoln? (music under) LINCOLN: (a doubtful chuckle) I don’t know, Miss Ann. Seems like I ain’t had much luck with anything. Ain’t much of a store clerk then I fought a war and didn’t even catch sight of the enemy. ACTRESS II: There’s much to admire in you, Mr. Lincoln. But no one’s as hard on you as you are yourself. ACTRESS I: What do you see in that river these days, Abraham? LINCOLN: I don’t know. I guess mainly I just listen … I just listen … [SONG: THE FREEDOM WIND, reprise] LINCOLN: (sings) Sometimes in the evenin’ When it seems the earth is breathin’ and the stars roll in And the night begins, I feel a breeze start blowin’ And in my heart I’m knowin’ it’s come back again … It’s the Freedom Wind.

END Act 1

ACT II

ACTOR III: (huffing, puffing, grunting, as he pulls one foot after another through the “mud”) [SONG: MUD BLUES] Well, there ain’t no mud in heaven, We got it all in Illinois. Well there ain’t no mud in heaven It’s all run down to Illinois. But if there’s mud in heaven, then I know so very well, it’s Illinois.

Ain’t no Mississippi Bayou that could match the mud comes by you’n Illinois! And there ain’t no swamp in Georgia that’s a full as muddy water’s Illinois! When the Lord, He sent the flood, well it all just turned to mud in Illinois!

Some people say that Moses covered Pharaoh’s nose and toes’es with the sea. Some people say he drowned him and they even wrote it down in history. But I know better, Bud … He died with prairie mud up to his knees.

(spoken as he works his way through the mire) Ah, this dog-goned, dad-blamed, hog-swallowin’, bull-stickin’ mud’s got me so dad-burned sick of this slop that I can’t hardly take one toad-suckin’ step after a dad-blamed ‘nuther! If I ever get outa this God-forsaken mule-killin’, bog-bottomed guck they call Illinois, I’m gonna get me a dad-blamed shack as tall as mule’s butt where it never rains in a dad-blamed hunderd million years, brother!! I got mud stuck in my pockets, I got mud stuck in my teeth, I got mud that’s stuck in places I can’t hardly even reach! I got mud stuck in my britches, I got mud stuck in my mouth, I got mud that’s stuck in places I ain’t even been myself!

Well, there ain’t no mud in heaven, We got it all in Illinois. Well there ain’t no mud in heaven It’s all run down to Illinois. But if there’s mud in heaven, then I know so very well, it’s Illinois. (as the music continues under, ACTRESS III enters) ACTRESS III: Are you drunk? ACTOR III: Not yet. Gimme a minute. ACTRESS III: Have you been drinking? ACTOR III: I never touch a drop in the mornin’ hours. ACTRESS III: That’s admirable, my good man. ACTOR III: The tavern don’t open ‘til noon. ACTRESS III: I expect to see you at the Temperance Society meeting. 7 p.m. tonight. Sharp! (she exits) ACTOR III: (he comes to a stiff salute) Yes Sir! (then looses his balance and falls into the muck) If a body didn’t drink, she’d be reason enough to start! You can wipe in on the tree-stump, you can wipe it on the floor But no matter where you wipe the mud there’ll always be some more! You can sump it, jump it, you can dump it, it won’t budge, You try to get ahead in life, you end up in the mud!

Well, there ain’t no mud in heaven, We got it all in Illinois. Well there ain’t no mud in heaven It’s all run down to Illinois. But if there’s mud in heaven, then I know just as sure as I’m standin’ here belly-deep in some of the awfulest Gol-danged mess I ever been in my life Right here in the middle of this stink-suckin’ mud hole of … Illinois! (Play off, he plops) I hate mud.

LINCOLN: (walks forward to speak to audience) Fellow citizens, I presume you know who I am. I am humble Abraham Lincoln. I have been solicited by many friends to become a candidate for the Illinois Legislature. My politics are short and sweet, like the old woman’s dance. I am in favor of a national bank. I am in favor of the internal improvement system and a high protective tariff. These are my sentiments and political principles. If elected I shall be thankful; if not it will all be the same. (walks back) ACTOR I: Here we are! The election results are in! LINCOLN: And? ACTOR I: You came close. LINCOLN: How close is close? ACTOR I: Uh ... real close. LINCOLN: Tell me. ACTOR I: You came in 8th of 13 candidates. But you did get 277 out of the 283 votes cast in this precinct. Everybody who really knew you voted for you! LINCOLN: That pleases me. I suppose the others just saw my picture. ACTOR I: But it was … LINCOLN: I know. Close. Really close. ACTOR II: (entering as ACTOR I and Lincoln exit) When Lincoln came to New Salem we’d just come off one of the worst winters in our history. ‘Course, seems like we never had nothin’ but bad winters. There was times you could walk all the way to Petersburg and never have a climb a fence. You just walked over the top of ‘em. Most of us survived pretty well, I guess … ACTRESS III: And some didn’t ... (ACTRESS II enters an area carrying a bundled baby) … If you had a family … strong boys and man about and close neighbors, you stood a decent chance. But there were those who didn’t fare so well. Sometimes you got no control over when babies are born ... ACTOR II: …or you when you lose your husband to the fever or a flood … ACTRESS III: You can go a long way without givin’ up on this prairie but sometimes we wondered … We wondered just how far we could go … and how much we could take.

[SONG: MOTHER’S LAMENT] ACTRESS II: (humming) Lay down your head (humming) Close your tired eyes Mama can see you … Mama won’t leave you … (humming) Don’t be afraid ... Baby’s all right And when I lay you down now to sleep I pray the Lord, your soul will keep And if I die before you should wake I’m still gonna love you ...Your Mama will love you ... And dear God above will ... Keep baby all right.

(as music continues under, crying out) Henry! HENRY: (ACTOR I, entering) Mama ... ACTRESS II: I know you’re scared, child, but Mama’s sick. You gotta get help, honey. HENRY: I can’t leave you, Mama ... ACTRESS II: You’ve got run for help ... HENRY: Please don’t make me go out there, Mama. Please don’t make me go. ACTRESS II: (a beat, then) Sit here by me, child … Help keep the baby warm … (Henry cuddles in close)

ACTRESS II & ACTOR I: (humming) Lay down your head (humming) Close your tired eyes Mama can see you … Mama won’t leave you … (humming) Don’t be afraid ... Baby’s all right (ACTRESS II collapses) ACTOR I: Mama! Mama, wake up! ACTOR I: And when I lay you down now to sleep I pray the Lord, your soul will keep And if I die before you should wake I’m still gonna love you ... And Mama will love you ... And dear God above will ... Keep baby all right.

LINCOLN: (enters as Ann stands by the river, angrily throwing pebbles into the water) You tryin’ to build a new dam or are you just mad at that river? ACTRESS I: What? Oh, hello Abraham. I guess I should stop. This river’s the only thing around here I can depend on anymore. LINCOLN: (pause, knowing what she means) Have you heard from Mr. McNeil yet? ACTRESS I: Did you know his name wasn’t really McNeil? Were you aware of that? LINCOLN: Yes. I was witness to a transaction when he signed his real name. ACTRESS I: Why didn’t you ... why didn’t anyone tell me? How can a person be engaged to marry someone and not even know his real name? LINCOLN: I thought you knew … figured he would have told you. ACTRESS I: Then, after we are engaged he tells me that not only is his real name … McNamar … and I don’t know if I believe the story that he changed it to protect his family. But … then he tells me that he is returning to the East to take care of family obligations. And I haven’t heard a word from him. Not a letter. LINCOLN: I’m truly sorry, Miss Ann. ACTRESS I: You know, Abraham, I have this strange feeling that he’s not coming back. The strangest part is that I’m not sure I care anymore. Isn’t that something? I thought I was in love with him. Can you imagine thinking someone loves you then they end up loving someone else? LINCOLN: Yes. Yes, I can. Here. Give me that rock. (and he angrily throws it into the water … ACTRESS I views this strange behavior for a short moment then exits, leaving Lincoln alone) ACTOR I: (entering) Lincoln! ACTOR II: Hey, Lincoln! There you are! LINCOLN: (in no mood for their usual banter) Hi boys. ACTOR I: Whatsa matter? ACTOR II: Come on down with us to Petersburg. They got a horse race up for this afternoon and we can … LINCOLN: Sorry. Not today. ACTOR I: What’s in your craw, Lincoln? You sick? LINCOLN: Nope. ACTOR I: Mad? LINCOLN: (a thought, then) Naw … not really. ACTOR II: Then what’s … LINCOLN: There don’t seem to be no puttin’ you boys off, does there? ACTOR II & ACTOR I: (a look, a shrug, then) Nope. LINCOLN: I don’t know. Sometimes … heck, sometimes I wonder if there’s anything I can do right. You know what they say about me up in the village … “Good fella, but he’s a dreamer, is all!” “Hard worker! That is, when he decides to work!” “Bright lad but pro’bly won’t amount to much!” ACTOR II: Yeh, and Bill Green says you’re … (but ACTOR I hushes him) LINCOLN: Oh, I know all the lines. Dern it boys, it’s just that … heck, if a fella can’t succeed in one thing then what’s the use of tryin’ another? ACTOR I: You talkin’ about Miss Rutledge? LINCOLN: I don’t know. I don’t even know what I’m talkin’ about anymore. ACTOR II: Know your problem, Abraham? You let things get to you. Now, you’re one of the best friends I got, but I gotta tell ya, sometimes you just get plumb down the mouth! ACTOR I: He’s right, Abraham. There’s times you could depress a rock. LINCOLN: I could? ACTOR II: Just ‘cause you got big shoulders, don’t mean you gotta carry the whole world! You gotta dig down inside of ya! LINCOLN: Dig? ACTOR II: Dig. Deep down inside your soul. Heck, anybody with your gumption’s got more inside him than he knows! LINCOLN: I don’t reckon I know quite how to do that. ACTOR I: Well, then for once, just shut up a listen! (singing) [SONG: YOU GOTTA DIG DEEPER] Can’t nobody know just what you’re feelin’ Can’t nobody help you when your low Can’t nobody tell just what you’re needin’ If you can’t dig out, then you better dig down in your soul. ACTOR I & ACTOR II: … you gotta dig Deeper than you’ve ever been Wider than the prairie wind Longer than you’ve gone and then You gotta dig deeper … Dig deeper my friend. ACTOR II: Sometimes lady luck can’t be discovered. Seems like trouble just comes whatever you’ve tried. Problems pilin’ up ‘til your just covered. If you can’t dig out, then you gotta dig deeper inside ACTOR I & ACTOR II: … you gotta dig Deeper than you’ve ever been Wider than the prairie wind Longer than you’ve gone and then You gotta dig deeper … Dig deeper my friend. ACTOR I: Sometimes in your mind those doubts start creepin’ Things don’t go exactly like you’d planned That’s when you’ve just got to dig in deeper Better reach down and give yourself a hand. ACTOR I & ACTOR II: … you gotta dig Deeper than you’ve ever been Wider than the prairie wind Longer than you’ve gone and then You gotta dig deeper, You gotta dig deeper, You gotta dig deeper, You gotta dig deeper, my friend.

ACTOR II: (Green): (to audience) My name is William Green. I got Abraham and Wm. Berry into the grocery business. You see, I was just standing there in the store one day when they walked in. (in scene) Now, I’ve done it. I’ve really done it this time! ACTOR I: (Berry): (entering with Lincoln) Slicky Bill Green! What’s up? ACTOR II: I’m the proud owner of the Radford store. LINCOLN: What’s the problem? ACTOR II: I don’t wanna be! ACTOR I: How’d that happen? ACTOR II: It was the Clary’s Grove boys. They come in last night and busted the bejesus out of this place. I guess Ruben had had it out with ‘em. He was so mad he wanted out so I offered him $400 for the whole shootin’ match! LINCOLN: So what’s the problem? ACTOR II: The derned fool actually took me up on it! Heck, I hated the work when I was as Offutt’s store. Now I got the work and worry both! ACTOR I: Me and Lincoln could run this store, couldn’t we Abraham? LINCOLN: Now, wait a minute. ACTOR I: Where we gonna get another chance like this? LINCOLN: Slicky, how about you selling the store to me and Berry here? I don’t have a job right now and the both of us could run this store just fine. ACTOR II: You got any money? ACTOR I: We’re both broke. How ‘bout you? ACTOR II: Not a dime. LINCOLN: Then we’re even. You can take our marker and we’ll take your worries. ACTOR II: (extending his hand) You got a deal. LINCOLN: Reminds of a story. One day an Irishman was stealing a shovel from the front of a store and the preacher saw him. “Paddy!” he shouted. “If you take that shovel, you’ll have to pay for it on judgment day!” “By the powers!” replied Paddy. “If you’ll credit me for so long, I’ll take another!” (laughs) ACTOR II: (turns to audience) They bought the store on credit … the “National Debt” as Lincoln called it. Anyhow they set up shop. And things didn’t go well. ACTRESS II: (enters store. Lincoln is reading a book. Green is drinking and laughing) Excuse me? (no response) I said, “Excuse me! I need some corn meal!” LINCOLN: (not looking up) Sure thing, Miz Baker. Help yourself.You know where it is. ACTRESS II: (gets meal) Where shall I leave the money? LINCOLN: You know that reminds me of the time I was clerking at Offitt’s store. Fella by the name of Bill came in and asked for a few pennies worth of crackers so I laid them on the counter. Pretty soon he said, “I don’t want these crackers. Give me a glass of cider.” And he drank it and started to leave. “Here, Bill. Pay me for the cider!” “I gave you the crakers for it,” he replied. “But you didn’t pay me for the crackers, I said. “But I didn’t have any crackers,” he said and walked out. I think I lost a few cents but I never could exactly make out how. (laughs and returns to book) Just leave the money on the bench. ACTRESS II: (does, starts to leave, decides not to say anything to Lincoln and goes to Berry) I’d like some coffee. ACTOR I: (hardly bothers) Well, you don’t need to bother me. Lincoln can get it for you or you can get it yourself. ACTRESS II: Well! (leaves in a huff) ACTOR II: (to audience) Not too surprising that the store winked out. Lincoln read books all day and Berry drank up the profits. Abraham finally paid off his “National Debt.” Took him 17 years to do it. (exits) Brother Berry, on the other hand, took the rest of his life to pay off his whiskey habit.

ACTRESS III: (enters and talks to audience) I gotta admit, I shouldn’t be too hard on them boys and their drinkin’. Oh, I’ve seen what it does to a man … turns him stupid … and lazy… and sometimes ... sometimes it just turns him real mean. But I wasn’t always a member of the Temperance Union. Shocks you, does it? Well, let me tell you, brother, when the sinners come forward and confess their life of drinkin’ and carousin’, it ain’t news to this old gal. No sir. I reckon I seen about as many boozers as I have Baptists in my time. When they fall down on their knees and start blubberin’ about the bars and dance halls they’ve seen … well brother, I don’t just recognize their stories … I know the addresses. My daddy ran a showboat from Cincinnati to New Orleans and I knew every honky-tonk piano player and silk-stockinged show girl on the river. I got me religion one night at a Memphis camp meeting but there ain’t a day goes by that I don’t think of them wild days on the river. (the lights come up to reveal a small congregation assembled. ACTRESS III turns and immediately becomes the Temperance preacher) ACTRESS III: And I’m tellin’ you now, brethren, we’ve got to gather up that demon rum! CONGREGATION: Amen! ACTRESS III: We’ve got to fetch out all that rot-gut whiskey! CONGREGATION: Amen! ACTRESS III: And we gotta take it down it the banks of that old Sangamon River! CONGREGATION: Amen! ACTRESS III: And we gotta throw it in! ACTOR III: (who until now has been a part of the Amen corner) Now wait a minute! CONGREGATION: Amen! ACTRESS III: Let us now sing a hymn! Do I hear a favorite among the brethren? ACTOR III: Yeh! “Shall We Gather at the River!” ACTRESS III: Very well, brother Kelso! Let us “Gather at the River!” CONGREGATION: (singing) [SONG: TEMPERANCE RALLY RAG] Shall we gather at the river, The beautiful, the beautiful river, Shall we gather at the river That flows by the throne of God. Shall we gather at the river The beautiful, the beautiful river, Gather with the saints at the river, That flows by the throne of God. (↔ tempo) (ACTRESS III) Shall we gather at the river (I went with daddy down to Old New Orleans!) The beautiful, the beautiful river (Danced the night away in Old New Orleans!) Shall we gather at the river (Kicked my heals and let the river take me!) That flows by the throne of God.

Shall we gather at the river (And when I hear banjo playin’) The beautiful, the beautiful river (I get the feelin’ and my knees start swayin’!) Shall we gather at the river That flows by the throne of God!

CONGREGATION: (↔ churcho) Shall we gather at the river, The beautiful, the beautiful river, Shall we gather at the river That flows by the throne of God. Shall we gather at the river The beautiful, the beautiful river, Gather with the saints at the river, That flows by the throne of God. ACTRESS III: (coming away, over the singing) But I couldn’t keep up that life forever. No sir. That was no place for a gal to be raisin’ a family of eight kids. Eight! Baptists! Dear God, a dancer with eight Baptist kids! It had me all bollixed up! But there wasn’t nothin’ to do but make the best of it. Ain’t much call for showgirls on the Illinois Prairie. But you know, whenever we get down to St. Louis and I hear that old Calliope yell ... Well, it just makes me want to … (↔ tempo) (ACTRESS III) Shall we gather at the river (I hear the music and a smile comes on me) The beautiful, the beautiful river (That river spirit starts a flowin’ o’er me!) Shall we gather at the river (My feet are tappin’ and it’s ‘bout to happen!) That flows by the throne of God.

Shall we gather at the river (That feelin’ never leaves me!) The beautiful, the beautiful river (Oh, dear Lord, forgive me!) Shall we gather at the river That flows by the throne of God! (ACTRESS III breaks into a soft-shoe razzmatazz)

(↔ organ-ic) Shall we gather at the river The beautiful, the beautiful river, Gather with the saints at the river, That flows by the throne of God. (music over) ACTOR III: Lincoln! ou tried being a clerk, a postmaster, a surveyor and you lost your shirt the last time you ran for Congress! Things haven’t turned out so blamed well for you andand if you’re thinking of running for political office again,, I’m thinkin’ you could use a little advice. LINCOLN: Like what, brother Kelso? ACTOR III: Like … well, like quit bein’ so dad-blamed honest, Abraham! You gotta tell people what they want to hear! Heck, there’ll be plenty of time for truth once you get elected! If you got somethin’ truthful to say, don’t waste it on the campaign, son! ACTRESS III: And can’t you do something about the way you look, Abraham? LINCOLN: Ma’am? ACTRESS III: Well, just look at you! Who’d wanna vote for that? LINCOLN: I guess I never thought much about my looks. ACTRESS III: Well think about it! When we send a representative down to the capitol at Vandalia, we want ‘em to make us look like more than a bunch of scalawag rubes!

[SONG: THAT’S THE WAY TO GET AHEAD] ACTOR I: (singing) You gotta be slick ACTOR II: You gotta be quick ACTRESS I: You gotta be trickier nowdays ACTRESS III: You gotta be smooth, ACTOR I: You gotta be rude, ACTOR III: You gotta be little bit rowdy. ACTRESS II: You gotta be hot, ACTRESS I: You gotta be cold, ACTRESS III: You gotta jump right on the griddle! ACTOR II: You gotta be right, ACTOR I: You gotta be left, ACTOR III: You gotta be right down the middle ACTOR I & ACTOR II: When ... you get the job it’s who you know! ACTRESS I & ACTRESS II: Then … pretend you made it on your own! ALL: But until you reach the very top Don’t come clean until you get the nod! ACTOR III: Don’t get real until you’ve got the job! ALL: That’s the way to get ahead! ACTOR III: Ya understandin’ us, Lincoln? LINCOLN: Oh, I don’t reckon I’m smart enough to be anything but me. Lyin’ takes too good a memory. ACTRESS III: Well, you can at least do somethin’ about your clothing and the way you walk and stand. LINCOLN: Walk? How’s a congressman s’posed to walk? ACTOR III: Sidestep. (ACTRESS III slugs him) LINCOLN: How does he stand? ACTOR III: Depends on how the wind’s blowin’! (he gets popped again) (counter melody) … ACTRESS III: Speak out clear! ACTRESS I: Hide those ears! ACTRESS III: Wear your hat! ACTRESS I: Mend those pants! ACTRESS I: You need a vest! ACTRESS III: You need a chest! ACTRESS III AND ACTRESS I: Abe, your pants don’t even reach your shoes! Oh dear God, what are you gonna do? Even a blind man wouldn’t vote for you! How you gonna get ahead? LINCOLN: Folks, I ‘preciate all your advice, but I’m not sure I’m cut out for this sort of campaignin’. ACTOR III: Lincoln, there’s two kinds o’ fellas that run for office. One’s the kind who stretches the truth just enough to get hisself elected. We call him a statesman. LINCOLN: What’s the other? ACTOR III: We call him the loser.

ACTOR II: You gotta be warm, ACTOR I: You gotta be cool ACTRESS II: You gotta be medium rare now! ACTOR II: You gotta be loud ACTRESS II: You gotta be soft ACTOR III: You gotta have plenty of air now! ACTOR II: You gotta be seen ACTOR I: You gotta be clean ACTRESS II: You gotta be great or we’ll miss you! ACTOR II: You gotta be smart, ACTOR I: You gotta have heart ACTOR III: You gotta avoid all the issues ACTRESS III: Speak out clear!

ACTRESS I: Hide those ears!

ACTRESS III: Wear your hat!

ACTRESS I: Mend those pants! ALL: Then … When the roll is called we’ll hear … (You need a vest!) Abraham! Let’s all stand up and cheer! (You need a vest!) ACTOR I: Put the other fella in his place! ACTOR II: Don’t turn your cheek, just use your other face! ACTRESS III: Tell the truth, ACTOR III: but after you’ve won the race! ALL: That’s the way to get a- That’s the way to get a- That’s the way to get ahead! LINCOLN: I appreciate all the good advice. I know you’re all trying to help. Reminds me of a story, happened in Springfield. There was a little old lady standing on the corner of a muddy street. A fella, trying to be helpful, picked her up, sloshed through the mud and deposited her on the other side of the street. She said, “Thank you, stranger. I know you mean well, but I was goin’ in the other direction.” That’s what I think I’m doing … going in another direction. (music comes in under) (moves away from townies and begins addressing the audience as if a political speech. During this speech, cast members bring him a black vest and long coat. He puts them on while he is talking.) I know there are men in politics who get there by dishonest means. I know there are men in office who are there to exercise personal power instead of serving others. But I also know those who presently serve, and those in the history of this great nation, who establish a level of service as to reflect pride upon the process of representation.

(these interspersed “memory” scenes are delivered at various locations on the stage and not directly to Lincoln) ACTRESS III: New Salem, Illinois. April, 1831. That’s when most of us saw Abraham Lincoln for the first time. LINCOLN: I choose to be one of those. I prefer to bring a straightforward effort to my participation in government. I owe a debt of gratitude to my friends in New Salem for showing me that. ACTOR III: No! No! No! Julius Caesar isn’t about history! It’s about political treachery! It’s about protecting your backside! LINCOLN: If that be enough, then your vote will be greatly received. I do not wish to suggest that my opponents in this election are not … honorable men. I should not and will not judge them, nor demean their abilities. ACTRESS III: OK all you Sangamon County Volunteers… You’re going to need a captain! ACTOR I: Why in tarnation would you want to read law books? I’m supposed to read ‘em and I don’t! LINCOLN: It is for the citizens to judge whom they wish as their voices in government. It is the most responsible of obligations and it is with profound humility that I pursue that responsibility. ACTRESS II: Burns! Good God Almighty! You been talkin’ to that no account Jack Kelso! LINCOLN: Our system is a government by the people. I intend now, and ever, to bring to that process the maximum effort and integrity this body has to offer … to the state and to our nation. ACTOR II: Did ya hear the news? War has been declared! PHYLIIS: They’re gonna loot and plunder! I gotta run home and shut my windows! ACTOR III: Lincoln! What’re you doin’? He’s … he’s drillin’ a hole in my boat! LINCOLN: Those who serve in our government should reflect the best qualities our people have to offer. I do not know if I am up to the task … I believe I am. To those of you who agree, I appreciate your vote; should you believe another to be better qualified, you have an obligation to support them and I respect that obligation. ACTOR II: You gotta dig down inside of ya! ACTRESS III: Well, you can at least do something about your clothing and the way you walk and stand. ACTRESS I: Don’t you have a flicker of romance in that whole gangly body of yours, Abraham? LINCOLN: I’ll close with this: if you are to select me as your voice in government, I pledge to you a term of honest endeavor on your behalf. I will lend a attentive ear to you, diligently study the issues, and use whatever common sense that God has allowed me to possess. And now … Now it’s time I headed for Vandalia. The legislature is about to convene. I am your servant … Abraham. ACTOR I: Remember when our boat hit the dam, Abraham? LINCOLN: (a small chuckle) I think I finally busted loose. ACTOR I: Your first elected office. New Salem’s gonna miss you, my friend. LINCOLN: Most of this place is gonna go right along with me.

(Lincoln slowly turns to look at the tableau the villagers have created. Then, after a moment, the villagers turn, as one, toward him.) [SONG: THE FREEDOM WIND, reprise] LINCOLN: (sings) Sometimes in the evenin’ When it seems the earth is breathin’ and the stars roll in And the night begins, I feel a breeze start blowin’ And in my heart I’m knowin’ it’s come back again … It’s the Freedom Wind. CAST: (singing as Lincoln slowly makes his way up the stairs and out) Sometimes when it blows I’ve got a feelin’ that it knows That there’s a place for me. Where I’ve got to be. I feel the breeze around me, and I hear the lonely sounds of “Come and go with me ... the Wind that Freedom brings.” ACTOR I & ACTOR II: Oh well a flood can drown the land, Tear the rocks out from the sand but it goes back again … Oh, it goes back again. ACTRESS II & ACTRESS I: And the fire can rage and roll but the flames must all turn cold When the rains come down ... the cooling rains come down. ACTOR I: But there’s somethin’ ‘bout the wind that you can’t stop And you can’t bend, and you can’t stay the hand that frees While hatred rages. ACTRESS I: There ain’t no power on earth that’s like a gift that’s ours from birth And it blows the wind of freedom through the ages! ALL: Sometimes in the evenin’ When it seems the earth is breathin’ and the stars roll in And the night begins, I feel a breeze start blowin’ And in my heart I’m knowin’ it’s come back again… It’s the Freedom Wind. (the cast exits and leaves on-stage a tall black hat and as music swells, the light comes down to a single spotlight that illuminates the hat, then fades at …) END

ABRAHAM! - PAGE 37