Log in or Sign up

Prosie: The Gettysburg Address

A list of 22 words by chained_bear.

About

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

—Abraham Lincoln, November 19, 1863

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • chained_bear commented on the list prosie-the-gettysburg-address

    Each of these phrases has resonated in my head for what seems like my entire life. Each, by itself, will launch the rest of the address, whether I want to recall it or not, in my brain. I still think it's one of the most beautiful pieces of writing I've ever seen.

    April 10, 2008

  • reesetee commented on the list prosie-the-gettysburg-address

    I agree, c_b. Thanks for adding it here.

    April 10, 2008

  • ruzuzu commented on the list prosie-the-gettysburg-address

    Me too. The that that in gave their lives that that nation might live always has that effect on me. Have you ever seen the movie Ruggles of Red Gap? There's a great scene where Ruggles, an English butler played by Charles Laughton, begins reciting the Gettysburg Address in an old saloon. (Here's a YouTube link.)

    July 23, 2010

  • reesetee commented on the list prosie-the-gettysburg-address

    Great scene, ruzuzu. Thanks for the link. :-)

    July 23, 2010