Bonnie and the Treasures - Home of the Brave (1965)

Charted at #77 on Billboard Hot 100 in August 1965. The lead singer is Charlotte O'Hara (pictured). There was a competing version by Jody Miller which charted higher.

Lyrics (thanks to ScriptWorker):
Home of the Brave

The school board says he cant come to school no more.
Unless he wears his hair like he wore it before.
The PTA and all of the mothers, say he ought-a look like the others.

Home of the Brave, Land of the Free.
Oh, why wont the let him be what he wants to be?

The kids all laugh at his hair and his funny clothes.
And more than once hes gone home with a bloody nose.
Hes not like them and they cant ignore it. So they all hate him for it.

Home of the Brave, Land of the Free.
Oh, why wont they let him be what he wants to be?

(Why?) He never hurt no-body.
(Why) Doesnt he belong?
(Why?) Cause hes a little bit different.
Tell my why is that so wrong?

Everybody says I shouldnt take his part.
But when they put him down how it breaks my heart.
Instead of all the trouble they hand him, why dont the try to understand him?

Home of the Brave, Land of the Free.
Oh, why wont they let him be what he wants to be?

Home of the Brave, Land of the Free.
Oh, why wont they let him be what he wants to be?

Etc.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Bonnie
• and
• the
• Treasures
• home
• of
• brave

[ScriptWorker]

Hi I found a copy of the lyrics. Thought it would help out particularly in the difficult bridge section. Have sent it on to IloveJenni47 to put up.

[ILoveJenni47]

I've added the lyrics to the description, thank you! Click "More Info" in the description box.

[rslitman]

I had heard OF but never heard the Jody Miller version until a few years ago. I then learned of this version, which I believe was produced by Phil Spector, but this may be the first time I've heard it. So, there's no Bonnie? Or is she a group member who's not the lead singer?

[ILoveJenni47]

Nope, Bonnie was "played" by Charlotte, there wasn't anyone with the name Bonnie in the group.

[IDLERACER]

This was actually produced by Jerry Riopelle, a protégé of Phil Spector's. It was released on the Phi-Dan label, a subsidiary of Philles.

[ILoveJenni47]

I can't make out that line either.

[jshalom65]

I first heard this song nearly 30 years ago on a Phil Spector compilation set called"Wall Of Sound".Beautiful,ageless,timel­ess rebellion.....................­.

[ScriptWorker]

@0153andy there is one but not on general release

[gayboylaca]

Jody Miller is a fantastic singer, but the Bonnie and the Treasures version of "Home of the Brave" is my favorite.

[hanwellybelly]

This was on our jukebox as a kid, still love it:)

[BJBFOREST]

In the posted lyrics it is 'The school board says he cant come to school no more...It should be the School board won't let him come to school no more..

[57Will]

Love this! I don't know why for so many years, I thought this was Ronnie Spector (probably because I'd heard or read it to be so). I have a Phi-Dan 45 of this.

[Wolfsky9]

Believe it or not, I own this '45, & it still plays. I loved this song & this version. In Denver, this was THE hit version. Great, great memory! Wolfsky9

[Mercuryrose86]

@warpony253 I hope that you dont, or that you learn not to listen to your father. Everybody NEEDS to find our own way. Its a wonderfull song and your father should enjoy it.

[warpony253]

I Got in Sooo Much Trouble with My Father for Singing This song. in the Car, Time of the Beatles. My Brother Started to let his Hair grow long an My Father did not like it One Bit I was Told to Never to Sing this Song Again.

[0153andy]

Anybody know of an MP3 version of this song?