“Abraham, Martin and John” is a song written by Dick Holler and originally recorded by Dion DiMucci, commonly known as Dion. The song pays tribute to four iconic American figures who were assassinated: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Robert F. Kennedy. It reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The song was first released by Dion in August of 1968 and became one of his most well-known and successful songs. Dion was born on July 18, 1939 in Bronx. New York. Each verse of the song reflects on the tragic deaths of these influential figures and expresses a sense of loss and longing for a time when they were still alive.
On June 5, 1968, songwriter Dick Holler (born October 16, 1934) was in New York City working on a new album with the Royal Guardsmen when Robert Kennedy was assassinated. It had been just two months since the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. Holler headed home to Florida, where in just 10 minutes, he wrote a poignant song, connecting the murders to those of John F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln.
Abraham, Martin and John Analysis
Anybody here seen my old friend Abraham?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people
But it seems the good they die young
You know I just looked around and he's gone
The first verse of the song is dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, who was assassinated in 1865. Lincoln played a crucial role in the abolition of slavery and the preservation of the Union during the American Civil War.
Anybody here seen my old friend John?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people
But it seems the good they die young
I just looked around and he's gone
The second verse is dedicated to John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, who was assassinated in 1963 in Dallas, Texas. Kennedy’s presidency was marked by the Cuban Missile Crisis, the establishment of the Peace Corps, and advancements in the Civil Rights Movement.
Anybody here seen my old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people
But it seems the good they die young
I just looked around and he's gone
The third verse pays tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent leader in the American civil rights movement. King was a key figure in the fight against racial segregation and discrimination. He was assassinated in 1968, just a few months before Dion recorded the song.
Didn't you love the things that they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?
And we'll be free
Someday soon, it's gonna be
One day
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin'
Up over the hill
With Abraham, Martin and John
A fifth verse is included for Robert F. Kennedy (Bobby), the younger brother of John F. Kennedy. Robert Kennedy was a U.S. Senator and Attorney General and was running for the Democratic nomination for President when he was assassinated in 1968, shortly after winning the California primary.
The song became a poignant reflection on the turbulent times of the 1960s and a meditation on the loss of these influential leaders. Dion’s soulful and emotive delivery added to the song’s impact, making it a powerful and memorable composition.
Further Reading
Sources
- “Story Behind the Song: ‘Abraham, Martin and John'” (Sept 11, 2020) https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/story-behind-the-song/2020/09/11/abraham-martin-and-john-story-behind-song-dick-holler/5758632002/
- “Abraham, Martin And John” https://www.discogs.com/release/8510655-Dion-Abraham-Martin-And-John
- “Dick Holler” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Holler
- “Abraham, Martin and John” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham,_Martin_and_John
- “Abraham, Martin and John” https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/dion/abraham-martin-and-john
