ENSEMBLE (clap-clap, stomp): There he goes— Tall hat, long stride— Swear the man can’t tell a lie Even if he tried! TOWNSFOLK (laughing): Oh, Lord above— He’s a walking truth parade… KIDS (chanting): HON-EST! ABE! HON-EST! ABE! [Verse 1 – Gossip Trio, fun] GOSSIP #1: He returned a penny once he found he’d overcharged— GOSSIP #2: Walked twelve miles out of town— GOSSIP #3: For a debt that wasn’t large! ALL THREE: He’s a lawyer with no varnish, No cheating in his game— If you're dealing with that Lincoln— You’re dealing with his name. [Verse 2 – Lincoln enters, shy smile] LINCOLN (embarrassed): Now folks, I’m just a neighbor— I’m trying to earn my keep. I ain’t some marble statue For your stories while you sleep. ENSEMBLE (teasing): Too late, Abe— Rumors spread! Honest words Are all you’ve said! You’ve got farmers quoting scripture ’bout the price of truth you’ve bled! LINCOLN (grinning): I just try to do my duty— Try to walk a steady line. What you call “honest-living,” I just call… trying to do right by mine. 🎤 [CHORUS – HUGE, joyful] ENSEMBLE: Honest Abe! Honest Abe! Tall as justice, clean and brave! When the world starts bending— He’s the man who will not sway! Honest Abe! Honest Abe! Heart of prairie, soul unstained! If a promise needs defending— He’s the one who holds the flame! [Verse 3 – Comic bit, townspeople tell stories] TOWNSMAN: I saw him lift a wagon When the oxen fell and slipped— TOWNSWOMAN: I saw him stop a fist-fight With a gentle fingertip! MERCHANT: I saw him read a law book While he carried fifty bricks— CHORUS (laughing): Truth is he’s a legend Made of mud and homemade sticks! LINCOLN (playful): You folks exaggerate me— I’m just trying to stay afloat. I lose hats to windy mornings— I once fell off my own boat. [Bridge – Percussion drops, sincerity enters] LINCOLN (soft, earnest): If being honest makes me worthy— If it’s all I truly own— Then I’ll carry it like armor On the day I stand alone. ENSEMBLE (gently echoing): Stand alone… stand alone… LINCOLN: If truth’s the only weapon I have ever learned to wield— Then may honesty be the banner I will carry in the field. 🎤🔥 [FINAL CHORUS – triumphant] ENSEMBLE: Honest Abe! Honest Abe! Tall as justice, clean and brave! When the world starts bending— He’s the man who will not sway! Honest Abe! Honest Abe! Prairie fire in his veins! If a nation needs mending— He’s the one who breaks the chains! KIDS (chanting, rising): HON-EST! ABE! HON-EST! ABE! LINCOLN (smiling, to audience): If that’s the name you give me… I’ll earn it every day.
