From the recording Freedom Tree
“Freedom Tree”, inspired by a poem by Jochebed Katan, honours Anne Frank and the powerful testimony of her diary, published after her death.
This song brings a message of hope and resilience, in the face of suffering.
Sheet music is available on request.
Credits:
Vocals, photography, graphic design: Ros Schwartz
Piano: Marie Anderson
Recording Engineer, Bass Guitar: Chris Coleman, Leopard Frog Studio
Inspired by the poem My Symbol of Freedom, 1995 by Jochebed Katan, a Dutch child Holocaust survivor
Lyrics
CHORUS
This is the tree that speaks to me,
this living symbol that I see,
my spreading chestnut Freedom Tree.
In Amsterdam I knew a tree,
a special tree that spoke to me.
I wish Anne Frank was here to see
My spreading chestnut Freedom Tree.
CHORUS
With branches stretching high and wide,
It touched the sky; while, trapped inside,
Anne’s thoughts and dreams refused to hide.
The tree stood witness when she died.
CHORUS
In secrecy, Anne gazed each night.
The growing tree helped calm her fright.
Too dangerous to light a light,
but as she wrote, her words shone bright.
CHORUS
Each year its leaves, like tears, were shed.
Its life gave honour to our dead.
Around the world its seeds have spread;
around the world Anne's book is read.
CHORUS