這篇演說其實很短,第一段簡述美國立國精神,第二段簡述內戰的神聖使命,第三段悼念烈士精神。全文這樣結束:吾國,在上帝庇佑之下,自由將新生,這個民有、民治、民享的國家,將在世上永存。( 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. )