%images; ]> scsm-000010 Jonathan to John / words by Hosea Bigelow ; music composed by F. Boott ...: a machine readable transcription. STERN COLLECTION OF LINCOLNIANA, Library of Congress Selected and converted. American Memory, Library of Congress.

Washington, DC, 2006.

Preceding element provides place and date of transcription only.

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 Rare Book & Special Collections Division, Library of Congress. Public Domain

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 2008/04/18
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Jonathan to John.

It don't seem hardly fair, John, When both my hands was full, To stump me to a fight, John, Your cousin, tu, John Bull! Ole Uncle S. sez he, “I guess We know it now,” sez he, “The lion's paw is all the law, Accordin' to J. B., Thet's fit for you an' me!”

Chorus: Ole Uncle S. sez he, “I guess We know it now,” sez he “The lions paw is all the law, Accordin' to J. B., Thet's fit for you an' me!”

Who made the law thet hurts, John, Heads I win, ditto, tails? “J. B.” was on his shirts, John, Onless my memory fails. Ole Uncle S. sez he, “I guess, (I'm good at thet,) sez he, “Thet sauce for goose ain't jest the juice For ganders with J. B. No more than you or me!”

We own the ocean, tu, John: You mus'n't take it hard, Ef we can't think with you, John, It's just your own back-yard. Ole Uncle S. sez he, “I guess, Ef thet's his claim,” sez he, The fencin'-stuff'll cost enough To bust up friend J. B., Ez wal ez you an' me!”

We give the critters back, John, Coz Abram thought 't was right; It warn't your bullyin' clack, John, Provokin' us to fight. Ole Uncle S. sez he, “I guess We've a hard row,” sez he, “To hoe jest now; but thet, somehow, May heppen to J. B., Ez wal ez you an' me!”

Shall it be love or hate, John? It's you thet's to decide; Ain't your bonds held by Fate, John, Like all the world's beside? Ole Uncle S. sez he, “I guess Wise men forgive,” sez he “But not forget; an' sometime yet Thet truth may strike J. B., Ez wal ez you an' me!”