No. 15 · The Presidents
James Buchanan
1857-1861
Buchanan was elected by many out of hope he would bring about the unity necessary to permanently prevent southern secession. He himself gave up this prospect after his inability to convince the North of the South's constitutional rights or properly warn the South of the consequences of secession. Buchanan made it clear that he would not seek a second term, and the country resigned itself to the fact that war was well on its way.
Lyrics
C, G, D
James Buchanan, you're our last hope
we need you to warn both sides of dopes
tell the north that the south has rights
tell the south it ain't worth the fight
or just give up
we'll follow the leader, that's you
pick a side, any side
yell a lot, don't you hide
you're our last chance
before our civil war dance
From the book, published 2009 · song & page updated
Pick a side, any side