Listen children to a story that was written long ago
‘Bout a kingdom on a mountain and the valley folk below
On the mountain was a treasure buried deep beneath the stone
And the valley people swore they’d have it for their very own
Go ahead and hate your neighbor, go ahead and cheat a friend
Do it in the name of heaven, you can justify it in the end
There won’t be any trumpets blowing come the judgment day
On the bloody morning after, one tin soldier rides away
So the people of the valley sent a message up the hill
Asking for the buried treasure, tons of gold for which they’d kill
It came an answer from the mountain: “With our brothers we will share
All the secrets of our mountain, all the riches buried there”
Go ahead and hate your neighbor, go ahead and cheat a friend
Do it in the name of heaven, you can justify it in the end
There won’t be any trumpets blowing come the judgment day
On the bloody morning after, one tin soldier rides away
Now the valley cried with anger: “Mount your horses, draw your sword!”
And they killed the mountain people, so they won their just reward
Now they stood beside the treasure on the mountain dark and red
Turned the stone and looked beneath it—”Peace on Earth” was all it said
Go ahead and hate your neighbor, go ahead and cheat a friend
Do it in the name of heaven, you can justify it in the end
There won’t be any trumpets blowing come the judgment day
On the bloody morning after, one tin soldier rides away
The Iconic Film Opening
An Anthem for Justice
Billy Jack remains one of the most significant independent films in cinema history. Directed by and starring Tom Laughlin, the film tells the story of a half-Hopi, half-white Vietnam veteran and martial artist who defends the progressive “Freedom School” against bigoted townspeople. The film became a massive cult success, largely due to its counter-culture themes and its message of non-violence—enforced, ironically, by Billy Jack’s “Hapkido” skills.
The song “One Tin Soldier,” written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, became synonymous with the film. Although originally recorded by The Original Caste in 1969, the version featured in the movie was performed by the rock band Coven. The lyrics are a powerful anti-war parable, warning against greed and religious hypocrisy. The revelation that the “treasure” on the mountain was simply the message “Peace on Earth” perfectly mirrors the film’s central conflict between materialistic violence and spiritual harmony.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the actor that played Billy Jack?
Tom Laughlin played the character in four different films, including The Born Losers and Billy Jack.
What martial art does Billy Jack use?
Billy Jack is famous for using Hapkido. The film is credited with significantly increasing interest in Korean martial arts in the United States.
Was “One Tin Soldier” a hit song?
Yes, the Coven version reached the top of the charts in 1971 and again after the film’s re-release in 1973, becoming a gold record.
