A Song from The American Songbag by Carl Sandburg

[LincolnMan]

Another song from the American Songbag is called Old Abe Lincoln Came Out Of The Wilderness. The book says this about it:

Torchlight processions of Republicans sang this in the summer and fall months of 1860. The young Wide Awakes burbled it as the kerosene dripped on their blue oilcloth capes. Quartets and octettes jubilated with it in packed, smoky halls where audiences waited for speakers of the evening. In Springfield, Illinios, the Tall Man who was a candidate for the presidency of the nation, heard his two boys Tad and Willie, sing it at him. The tune is from negro spirituals, When I Come Out De Wilderness and Ol' Gray Mare Come Tearin' Out De Wilderness.

Here are the lyrics:

Old Abe Lincoln came out of the wilderness,
Out of the Wilderness, out of the wilderness,
Old Abe Lincoln came out of the wilderness,
Down in Illinios.