[Intro] War over Now rebuild. Who runs Reconstruction? Who makes the deal? Johnson got a plan. Congress don't agree. President versus Congress [BEAT DROP] WHO GOT THE POWER? WE 'BOUT TO SEE! [Verse 1 — Black Codes] Eighteen-sixty-five, Johnson's plan, Southern states coming back again. Old leaders walking into D.C., Radicals said “Nah, not that easy!” Black Codes spreading through the South, Freedom promised—then they shut it down. Can't rent farms, No job? Fined. Newly freed people Still getting rights denied. Congress looked South like “This ain't right!” Freedmen's Bureau Give it more might. Civil Rights Act, 'sixty-six, Citizenship—put that into the mix. Johnson grabbed his pen VEETO! Congress got the votes OVERRIDE! Johnson tried again VEETO! Congress came back OVERRIDE! [Chorus] VEETO! — OVERRIDE! VEETO! — OVERRIDE! Johnson and Congress Going SIDE FOR SIDE! VEETO! — OVERRIDE! VEETO! — OVERRIDE! President says “NO!” Congress got the votes DENIED! (AY! AY!) WHO GOT THE POWER? WHO DECIDES? Johnson says VEETO! Congress says OVERRIDE! [Verse 2 — Fourteen] Congress knew a law could change, So they took it up another range. Put those rights Where they couldn't ignore Amendment number fourteen! Born in the nation? CITIZEN! Equal protection? CITIZEN! Due process under law? LOCK IT IN! Johnson fought Fourteen, Hit the campaign trail. Eighteen-sixty-six That plan failed! Voters went Republican, Congress stacked. Supermajority RADICALS BACK! Veeto coming? OVERRIDE THAT! Johnson losing power? BIG FACT! [Chorus] VEETO! — OVERRIDE! VEETO! — OVERRIDE! Johnson and Congress Going SIDE FOR SIDE! VEETO! — OVERRIDE! VEETO! — OVERRIDE! President says “NO!” Congress got the votes DENIED! (AY! AY!) WHO GOT THE POWER? WHO DECIDES? Johnson says VEETO! Congress says OVERRIDE! [Verse 3 — Radical Reconstruction] Now it's Radical Reconstruction, Congress taking control. Ten Southern states Got new goals. FIVE Military districts. FIVE Generals command. New constitutions Across the land. Black men register Black men vote. Fourteenth Amendment Ratify that vote. New government, Then rejoin. Congress got the wheel now JOHNSON, MOVE ASIDE! [Chorus] VEETO! — OVERRIDE! VEETO! — OVERRIDE! Johnson and Congress Going SIDE FOR SIDE! VEETO! — OVERRIDE! VEETO! — OVERRIDE! President says “NO!” Congress got the votes DENIED! (AY! AY!) WHO GOT THE POWER? WHO DECIDES? Johnson says VEETO! Congress says OVERRIDE! [Verse 4 — Impeachment] Congress wanted Johnson Under control. Tenure of Office Act Don't cross that line! Secretary Stanton Backed Congress's side. Johnson wanted him gone Senate said “DENIED!” Johnson fired Stanton. [beat cuts] BAD MOVE. House came back like “Impeach that dude!” Formal charges, Senate trial. Three long months, Nation watching all the while. Two-thirds needed To send him away. Came up short Johnson stayed. Still president, But Congress had the track. Radical Reconstruction KEPT MOVING! [BEAT DROP] [Final Chorus] VEETO! — OVERRIDE! VEETO! — OVERRIDE! Johnson and Congress Going SIDE FOR SIDE! VEETO! — OVERRIDE! VEETO! — OVERRIDE! President says “NO!” Congress got the votes DENIED! FOURTEEN! — CITIZEN! FOURTEEN! — RIGHTS! Radical Republicans Won that political fight! WHO GOT THE POWER? Congress took control! Johnson said “VEETO!” Congress said “NO!” [Outro] Black Codes. Civil rights. Fourteen. Political fight. Reconstruction Who decides? VEETO. OVERRIDE. [808 fades]
