In 1844, the Democrats were split  The three nominees for the presidential candidate  Were Martin Van Buren, a former president and an abolitionist  James Buchanan, a moderate  Louis Cass, a general and expansionist  From Nashville came a dark horse riding up  He was James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump  Austere, severe, he held few people dear  His oratory filled his foes with fear  The factions soon agreed  He's just the man we need  To bring about victory  Fulfill our manifest destiny  And annex the land the Mexicans command  And when the votes were cast the winner was  Mister James K. Polk, Napoleon of the Stump  In four short years he met his every goal  He seized the whole southwest from Mexico  Made sure the tarriffs fell  And made the English sell the Oregon territory  He built an independent treasury  Having done all this he sought no second term  But precious few have mourned the passing of  Mister James K. Polk, our eleventh president  Young Hickory, Napoleon of the Stump