No. 14 · The Presidents
Franklin Pierce
1853-1857
Because the nation of Cuba was so near the United States, Franklin Pierce decided that he should be allowed to take it from Spain, its current and distant owner. The Ostend Manifesto declared his desire to purchase Cuba for $120 million and threatened that a refusal to sell would justify the United States in “wresting it from Spain.” While some critics saw this merely as a ploy to add power to the southern states, others were more shocked at Pierce's total affront to international law.
Lyrics
Capo 6 · C, G, D/F♯
You're so close
And Spain's so far away
Plus, we'll make you
a new-found southern state
I'll make friends with the south
And pretend the north will still like me anyway
Oh Cuba, oh Cuba – ah ah ah
Mr. Pierce, you pierced our hearts
What you mean Spain? Yes, we made you an offer.
But not accepting is not an option.
Either take the money, honey
or Spain will feel the pain of lady liberty
No, I can not see the hypocrisy
All I see is a new state they'll credit to me
From the book, published 2009 · song & page updated
Oh Cuba, oh Cuba