Andrew Johnson (A Life) Lyrics

It was the 29th of December, 1808

Andrew joined the Johnson family on that date

He never went to school because they were so poor

But, learned the tailoring trade and stitched till around '34

In '27, he wed Eliza, whose father made shoes

Five children came, Martha, Charles, Mary, Robert, and Andrew

He became Greenville, Tennessee's mayor in '34

Then, served as their rep, senator, US rep, and governor

Andrew Johnson, the 17th President

1865 to '69, the time he spent

Though he governed a southern state, he supported the North

So, in '64, for VP, Andrew's name was put forth

He won and served until Abe's death, then became President

Forgave the South, let them self-govern, but was too lenient

The Southern states had Black Codes that suppressed freed slaves' rights

He blocked Reconstruction, the 13th Amendment, he'd fight

This angered Congress, that the freed slaves really weren't free

He toured the country to explain his side, but few would agree

Andrew Johnson, the 17th President

1865 to '69, the time he spent

Well, animosity grew between Congress and Andrew

So, they found a reason and impeached him, which made the news

His conviction by the Senate was what would came last

But, a majority was missed by just one vote cast

Andrew lost his second term, in '69, retreated

He ran twice for senator, in '75, was seated

Sadly, Andrew died July 31 of that same year

His legacy was his racism made the post-war path unclear