“Our Presidents” — First five verses, author unknown. All other verses, Lois Miller, Shamokin Dam
First on the list is Washington, Virginia’s proudest name. John Adams’ next, the Federalist, from Massachusetts came. Three sons of old Virginia into the White House go – Twas Jefferson, James Madison and then came James Monroe.
Massachusetts for one term, sent Adams called John Q.And Tennessee, a Democrat, brave Jackson, tried and true. Martin Van Buren of New York, and Harrison we see. And Tyler of Virginia, then Polk of Tennessee.
Louisiana Taylor sent; New York, Millard Fillmore. New Hampshire gave us Franklin Pierce and when his term was o’er the Keystone state Buchanan sent – war thunder shook the realm. Abe Lincoln wore a martyr’s crown and Johnson took the helm.
Then U.S. Grant of Illinois, who ruled with sword and pen, and Hayes and Garfield (who was shot) two noble Buckeye men. Chet Arthur from New York, then Grover Cleveland came. Ben Harrison served just one term, then Cleveland came again.
McKinley, shot at Buffalo – the nation plunged in grief, and T.R., the Rough Rider of New York succeeded him as chief. Taft of Ohio, followed him then Woodrow Wilson came, New Jersey’s learned Democrat – War set the world aflame.
And when the tide of strife and hate its baneful course had run, the country went Republican, As Warren Harding won. Then scandals like the Tea-pot Dome rocked a nation crying, “Thief.” Then Warren died and people lined the funeral route in grief.
So Calvin Coolidge took the oath at Warren Harding’s passing. And then came Herbert Hoover, (who studied engineering). Suddenly in ’29 the Great Depression struck, and FDR of old New York was sent to try his luck.
Four terms he served – thru peace and war he led a thankful nation, and at his death in ’45 we grieved the separation. Harry Truman of Missouri led us through troubled water till at Japan the atom burst and ended world war slaughter.
Another term, then a man called Ike was sent to guide the nation. Til ’61 when JFK took on the administration. Cuban crisis, the Berlin wall and war in Viet Nam, Civil Rights brought attention home through march, sit-in and bomb.
November 22 dawned with JFK in Dallas and as he drove through crowded streets three shots rang out in chorus. Our nation numbed to silence, stood horror-struck in grief. The torch was passed on Air Force One to Johnson, our new chief.
Then social legislation flowed – “The Great Society.” That dream was swamped and war was lost in Viet Nam, you see.
Nixon pledged to end the war and open doors to China but dirty tricks at Watergate forced resignation trauma.
Then Gerald Ford succeeded him, he came from Michigan. Next Jimmy Carter, Georgia boy, and filmdom’s Ronald Reagan. Massachusetts’ George Bush sent to lead into the ’90s, through Desert Storm and Project Hope and economic crises.
From Arkansas Bill Clinton came to pull us from recession. A second term brought impeachment pain and scandal resurrection. 2000 found a bitter race with chads and litigation. Then “Dub-yah” Bush from Texas came to heal a divided nation.
Life
The poem: 'Our Presidents'
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