Liberty Tree (also known as "The Sons of Liberty") is a song heard in the 1957 Disney live-action film, Johnny Tremain. It is one of the film's signature songs as it is often heard throughout it.
Background[]
While often heard instrumentally throughout the film, it is first sung in the part after Johnny Tremain and a group of patriots approach the ship captain who orders them to have no damage to to the ship, no violence to the crew, and no harm to any cargo except for tea to which after successfully dumping the tea, the patriots (who call themselves the "Sons of Liberty") arrive at Boston Town where they march across town and sing about their victory in throwing the tea into the Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party to which after doing so, they march and sing altogether to which upon approaching the Liberty Tree (the landmark which the song is named after), the patriots all hang lanterns on the Tree just before they all cheer together.
It is later heard at the end of the film where Priscilla Lapham approaches Johnny who explains to him that he is safe after surviving the Battle of Lexington and Concord, where it is sung by an offscreen choir.
A version with alternate lyrics can be found in the album inspired by the film released under the Disneyland Records label released in 1957, as well as the Happy Birthday and Songs for Every Holiday album, also released by the same label in 1964.
Lyrics[]
Plant the seed in our homeland, boys
Let it grow where all can see
Feed it with our devotion, boys
Call it the Liberty Tree
It's a tall, old Tree and a strong, old Tree
And we are the Sons, yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
Save it from the storm, boys
Water down its roots with tea
And the sun will always shine
On the old Liberty Tree
It's a tall, old Tree and a strong, old Tree
And we are the Sons, yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
March along with the fifer, boys
We were born forever free
Let's go pay the piper, boys
Beneath the Liberty Tree
It's a tall, old Tree and a strong, old Tree
And we are the Sons, yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
Pay the price they're asking, boys
Always pay the tyrant's fee
Never give up the struggle, boys
Fight for the Liberty Tree
It's a tall, old Tree and a strong, old Tree
And we are the Sons, yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
Stand for the rights of man, boys
Stand against all tyranny
Hang the lamps of freedom, boys
High on the Liberty Tree
It's a tall, old Tree and a strong, old Tree
And we are the Sons, yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
It will grow as we grow, boys
It will be as strong as we
We must cling to our faith, boys
Faith in the Liberty Tree
It's a tall, old Tree and a strong, old Tree
And we are the Sons, yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
Plant the seed in our homeland, boys
Let it grow where all can see
Feed it with our devotion, boys
Call it the Liberty Tree
It's a tall, old Tree and a strong, old Tree
And we are the Sons, yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
Save it from the storm, boys
Water down its roots with tea
And the sun will always shine
On the old Liberty Tree
It's a tall, old Tree and a strong, old Tree
And we are the Sons, yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
March along with the fifer, boys
Always pay the tyrant's fee
Never give up the struggle, boys
Fight for the Liberty Tree
It's a tall, old Tree and a strong, old Tree
And we are the Sons, yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
(instrumental)
Stand for the rights of man, boys
Stand against all tyranny
Hang the lamps of freedom, boys
High on the Liberty Tree
It's a tall, old Tree and a strong, old Tree
And we are the Sons, yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
Work together forever, boys
Don't forget the enemy
Loyalty watch forever, boys
Over the Liberty Tree
It's a tall, old Tree and a strong, old Tree
And we are the Sons, yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
It will grow as we grow, boys
Don't forget the enemy
We must cling to our faith, boys
Faith in the Liberty Tree
It's a tall, old Tree and a strong, old Tree
And we are the Sons, yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
We have won us a battle, boys
We have won a victory
We have stood as one, boys
For the old Liberty Tree
It's a tall, old Tree and a strong, old Tree
And we are the Sons, yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
Plant the seed in our homeland, boys
Let it grow where all can see
Feed it with our devotion, boys
Call it the Liberty Tree
It's a tall, old Tree and a strong, old Tree
We are the Sons, yes, we are the Sons
The Sons of Liberty
Trivia[]
- The song can also be heard in the Liberty Square area in the Magic Kingdom as area music.