The Freedom Song lyrics

Johnny was a Cherokee cowboy

Long braids hangin' from his hat

He wrangled up on the Little S Ranch

And he rode with my Uncle jack

He sat like a shadow in the saddle

And wrote poetry with his rope

He had a light hand for the horses

And a smile for us little folk

Johnny and Jack come a-callin'

Took my brothers, and my sisters and I

To the Hale County picnic

Ought-seven, Fourth of July

They had a big tent and a little brass band

Box lunches on the lawn

When they raised Old Glory to the top of the pole

We all sang the Freedom Song

Oh, say can you see?

Johnny why aren't you singing?

Oh, say can you see?

Johnny is there something wrong?

Oh, say can you see?

Johnny where are you going?

Johnny why don't you stay

And help us sing the Freedom song?

The men all whipped their hats off

And they hollered and whooped it up

But Johnny just stood their silent

With a hurt and angry look

Then his face got soft and he kneeled right down

And he sounded plumb wore out

When he said, "Little partner, it's not my freedom

That they're singin' about"

Oh, say can you see?

Johnny why aren't you singing?

Oh, say can you see?

Johnny is there something wrong?

Oh, say can you see?

Johnny where are you going?

Johnny won't you stay

And help us sing the Freedom song?

He mounted his horse in a couple of strides

And I watched as he rode away

Accross the plains of the Land of the Free

"Till he vanished in the Home of the Brave

Since then I've sung the Freedom Song

A thousand times or more

And every time I wonder just whose freedom

It is we're singing for?

Oh, say can you see?

Johnny why aren't you singing?

Oh, say can you see?

Johnny is there something wrong?

Oh, say can you see?

Johnny where are you going?

Johnny won't you stay

And help us sing the Freedom song?

Oh, say can you see?

Johnny why aren't you singing?