CROWD (chanting): “Here he comes! Here he comes! Long coat, long legs — PRAIRIE LAWYER!” 🎶 Verse 1 – LINCOLN (rapid, witty) LINCOLN: Well, I got no money, no pedigree, No daddy’s seat saved in the gallery— But I’ve got a mind sharper than a plow blade, And a tongue that’ll turn a crowd from wrath to praise. I read by firelight, dreamed by moonlight, Argued every farmer into midnight— If a case needs truth, well, send it my way, I’ll slice through lies like a field of hay! 🎶 Verse 2 – LOCAL POLITICIAN (mocking) POLITICIAN: “Now who’s this rail-splitter boy with the boots too big? You think you’re fit to fight the city pigs? You talk pretty, Abe — but talk is cheap." LINCOLN (cutting in, slick): Only when truth ain’t sowed too deep. 🎶 Pre-Chorus – LINCOLN + CROWD LINCOLN: Give me a tavern, give me a hall, Give me a man who thinks he knows it all— Give me a liar, I’ll make him crawl… CROWD: “THIS MAN CAN TALK!” “THIS MAN CAN STAND!” “THIS MAN CAN ARGUE ANY MAN OUT OF HIS OWN LAND!” 🎶 Chorus – Full Company (big, rhythmic, foot-stomping) COMPANY: Prairie Lawyer! Tall as the truth, sharp as the law! Prairie Lawyer! Wit like a whip and a mind without flaw! He’s the fire in the courthouse, The thunder in the barn— He’ll argue you to Sunday Before you can raise alarm! Prairie Lawyer! Prairie Lawyer! That tall Illinois thunderstorm! 🎶 Verse 3 – LINCOLN (swagger growing) LINCOLN: I’ve seen drunks throw punches in a grainhouse fight, Seen judges nod off on a Saturday night— But when I stand up, the whole room listens, Cause truth don’t whisper when conviction glistens. I don’t aim to climb — but the people push, Say “Abe, this town’s too small for your brain to hush.” I ain’t fancy bred but I’m honest-born, And I’ll speak my peace till the nation’s torn. 🎶 Breakdown – Tavern Call-and-Response FARMER: “Abe, what makes you think you’re fit for this?” LINCOLN: Cause my heart ain’t for sale and my word don’t miss. MERCHANT: “Abe, what makes you think you’ll make real change?” LINCOLN: Cause I’ve walked through pain and I know its name! POLITICIAN: “You think you’ll rise just by talkin’ strong?” LINCOLN: Son, talk is only weak when the talk is wrong. 🎶 Chorus 2 – Even bigger, drums pounding COMPANY: Prairie Lawyer! Lightning wit with a hammer of grace! Prairie Lawyer! He’ll talk you clean outta your own case! He don’t bow to silver, He don’t kneel to gold— He fights with truth and courage— He’s a storm you can’t control! Prairie Lawyer! Prairie Lawyer! Illinois thunderstorm! 🎶 Bridge – LINCOLN (earnest, swelling) LINCOLN: I’m no general, prince, or king, No legacy to pull my string— Just a man who loves the right, Who hates to see the poor lose sight Of justice promised in the dawn… This nation’s sick — but hope ain’t gone. 🎶 Final Chorus – Full company, explosive COMPANY: Prairie Lawyer! Standin’ tall in a world gone small! Prairie Lawyer! He’ll fight for the truth — he’ll answer the call! From the taverns to the courtrooms, From the fields to every farm— He’s the man who’ll start the rumble Before history sounds the alarm! Prairie Lawyer! Prairie Lawyer! THE TALL ILLINOIS THUNDERSTORM!
