Abraham, Martin and John

Dick Holler wrote the song in St. Petersburg, Florida, soon after hearing of Robert Kennedy's death in June 1968. It names Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. Holler and the producer Phil Gernhard brought it to Dion. Laurie Records agreed to a new contract on the condition that he record it. The production is gentle folk rock, arranged by John Abbott, with flugelhorn, electric organ, bass, drums and harp. Vinnie Bell and Ralph Casale played guitar and Nick DeCaro the organ, with David Robinson on drums, Gloria Agostini on harp and George Marge on oboe and English horn.

Dion released it in August 1968. It reached number four on the Hot 100, number two on the Cash Box chart and number eight on the Easy Listening survey, topped the charts in Canada on 25 November 1968, and was awarded a gold record by the RIAA. In 2001 the RIAA ranked it number 248 on its Songs of the Century list. He has re-recorded it several times, most recently for The Rock 'N' Roll Philosopher in 2025.