After a bridge, the fourth and final verse mentions "Bobby" (referencing Robert F. Kennedy), and ends with a description of him "walking over the hill" with the other three men.

The original version, recorded by Dion, featured a gentle folk rock production from Phil Gernhard and arrangement from John Abbott.

Dion was a recovering heroin addict living in South Florida when Holler and Gernhard brought him the song, and had turned his career toward acoustic folk singing.

The Red Baron", "Abraham, Martin and John" nonetheless was a major American hit single in late 1968.

The personnel on the original recording included Vinnie Bell and Ralph Casale on guitar, Nick DeCaro on organ, David Robinson on drums, Gloria Agostini on harp, and George Marge on oboe and English horn.