COMMEMORATIVE DIGITAL ALBUM
AN OFFICIAL
HISTORICAL
STORYTELLING
CELEBRATION OF
AMERICA'S 250TH
ANNIVERSARY
10 Musical Snapshots™ of the American Revolution
The Soundtrack of Independence
The Living Heartbeat of the American Spirit
The stories of those who forged our independence are more than echoes from the past; they are the bedrock of our national character. Voices of Liberty offers a profound, ground-level immersion into the lives of ten diverse participants who bore its weight. By capturing their passionate convictions through intimate Musical Snapshots™, these personal struggles become a shared inheritance—transforming distant history into a living human connection focused on the shared values that sustain us.
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The American Revolution
the complete experience
Washington’s Final Testament
Each selection includes a preamble by George Washington
An emotional theater of the mind journey with the General through the agonies and triumphs of the founding of our nation. He brings these memories to life as one of his final acts of service—just days before his passing—to ensure that the true cost of our freedom is never forgotten. Within this experience, he reveals his fondest wish: that we remain one united people, bound by a shared devotion to the principles of liberty and the "sacred fire" of self-governance.
Sample
01. Do or Die
Samuel Adams
Washington’s Final Testament: Introduction: Final Chapter
December 12, 1799. Mount Vernon.
After five grueling hours overseeing his estate on horseback in a freezing winter storm, George Washington returns home. He is chilled to the bone, caked in ice and snow. Ever the man of duty, he refuses to change, choosing instead to sit for dinner with Martha in his cold, sodden clothes.
Later, warmed by a roaring fire and dry clothes, the General begins to speak. He first delivered a series of 15 reminisces about the events of the Revolutionary War. Here, in the second part of his final recollections, he shares momories about the patriots he knew - or whose accounts had reached his notice - that precede the 10 songs of this collection.
By the time he retires, the day’s exposure has taken its permanent hold. Within forty-eight hours, his condition worsened by harsh medical treatments, the Father of our Country would be gone. This is his final look back; the concluding part of Washington’s Final Testament.
"While the Sons of Liberty had been stirring since the Stamp Act, their fervor sharpened as the crisis in Massachusetts escalated. I first encountered Samuel Adams, the man widely deemed the soul of that society, at the First Continental Congress. Despite our differing temperaments, we found a shared purpose in guiding America toward her inevitable separation from the Crown. Though a firebrand at the rostrum, he was often content to operate from the shadows, entrusting those with established standing to give public voice to his private sentiments. Much of his clandestine work in Boston was plotted within the cellars of the Green Dragon Tavern—frequently conducted within earshot of the very soldiers who would have gladly marched him to the gallows."
Beneath the copper dragon’s breath
on Union Street, the patriots met
The tavern’s roar hid coming rift
and secrets that the cellars kept
They whispered schemes of tea and lead
with Redcoats drinking overhead
As logic and defiance met
a plan was born that quickly spread
The die was cast on pain of death
no turning back, no faulty step
The tavern where the Masons met
held more than caught the eye
‘Twas here mechanics gathered and
prepared to do or die
A lad in shadow overheard
the war plans of the foe
Along he passed them mouth to ear
behind the Dragon’s door
One by land and two by sea
the message was conveyed
Three horse and rider racing west
ensured the warning was received
The die was cast on pain of death
no turning back, no faulty step
The tavern where the Masons met
held more than caught the eye
‘Twas here mechanics gathered and
prepared to do or die
Freedom shaped by common men
with tools of every trade
A heady blend of salt and earth
where liberty was made
The tavern where the Masons met
held more than caught the eye
‘Twas here mechanics gathered and
prepared to do or die
Sample
02. My Youthful Eyes
Noah Warner
"What follows is the true history of a Continental soldier named Noah Warner. I knew him by sight because he was with the 13th Massachusetts, a Soldier of the Line, and one of my “brave fellows” at Valley Forge. It is a sobering reality that the backbone of our struggle was formed by the very young, with most regulars being mere lads of sixteen to nineteen years. These boy soldiers traded the comforts of home for the rigors of service, maturing into veterans before reaching full manhood. Their shared deprivation forged a lifelong bond with all who gave their youth for our liberty."
I enlisted at age sixteen
for my home and country’s sake
The things I’ve done, the things I’ve seen
nearly caused my heart to break
The fire of freedom in my veins
while fighting for our nation’s rise
The shock and awe and bloody stains
were seared into my youthful eyes
At Freeman’s Farm we made our stand
in fields of blood and early fall
We gave the Redcoats lead and hand
but could not take the ground at all
For weeks we stayed on Bemis hill
and blocked the path of their escape
Until we crushed the British will
and saw our future change
I enlisted at age sixteen
for my home and country’s sake
The things I’ve done, the things I’ve seen
nearly caused my heart to break
The fire of freedom in my veins
while fighting for our nation’s rise
The shock and awe and bloody stains
were seared into my youthful eyes
We marched into the Valley Forge
with homesick hearts and bloody feet
We bore up under winter’s scourge
with only firecake to eat
The General’s grief was on his face
as he passed our frozen frames
We found a new and hardened strength
and traded boys’ for soldiers' names
I enlisted at age sixteen
for my home and country’s sake
The things I’ve done, the things I’ve seen
nearly caused my heart to break
The fire of freedom in my veins
while fighting for our nation’s rise
The shock and awe and bloody stains
were seared into my youthful eyes
From frozen huts to Jersey’s heat
we joined the fight on Monmouth field
And put our newfound skills to use
with discipline at last revealed
The British rage caused some to flee
but Washington, he stopped the tide
We stood and faced the enemy
and felt the General’s pride
I enlisted at age sixteen
for my home and country’s sake
The things I’ve done, the things I’ve seen
nearly caused my heart to break
At nineteen years I mustered out
the hardest part I thought was past
I lived through forty years of peace
with a wife and family
But then my nineteen-year-old son
was taken from my aged side
And all the battles we had won
could not contain the grief I hide
I enlisted at age sixteen
for my home and country’s sake
The things I’ve done, the things I’ve seen
nearly caused my heart to break
But then my nineteen-year-old son
was taken from my aged side
And all the battles we had won
could not contain the grief I hide
Sample
03. Terrible Ironies
John Adams
"I have known John Adams for twenty-five years, and though we were respectful opponents, it was he who stood to nominate me before Congress to lead the Continental Army. In that same season, we faced one of the most agonizing truths of our history: the malignant progression of African slavery. This practice carried from England and began to flourish even as we ended the British custom of shipping convicts to our shores. While many of these outcasts were pardoned to join our Revolution, the bonds of African slavery only tightened. I and many other leading men are masters of slaves, yet John and Abigail Adams stand as shining examples of virtue, never owning a soul while vigorously speaking out against the practice. Our rejection of the convict trade eventually forced the Crown to divert its "undesirables" to Australia—a colony far more difficult to govern than our own. These unintended, tragic outcomes remain inseparable from our history, and a divine reckoning for our continued support of slavery must someday be made."
I watched England purge all her unwanted
five billion hours of human life for sale
Riffraff was cast to vast plantations
all across our vast American soil
Seventy-five saw the convict trade end
outcasts swapped their shackles for a gun
Then the conscience of the nation began to bend
as the locks on slavery were undone
Abigail feared the cost could not be paid
I shuddered at the morals from which we had strayed
When England shipped those broken souls
they built the muscle of Liberty’s sons
African slaves soon filled the holds
terrible ironies that the Crown didn’t intend
In Boston’s port many outcasts were found
who brought a rage that the King would feel
A bitter hate for a haughty Crown
they would grind his Empire beneath their heel
The New World no longer took convict souls
so the King sought a new exile shore
A distant land that the Crown controlled
to become a jail without a door
Abigail feared the cost could not be paid
I shuddered at the morals from which we had strayed
When England shipped those broken souls
they built the muscle of Liberty’s sons
African slaves soon filled the holds
terrible ironies that the Crown didn’t intend
From American street to Australian shore
two nations forged in exile fire
The grit and marrow that we both share
our everlasting brotherhood inspires
When England shipped those broken souls
they built the muscle of Liberty’s sons
African slaves soon filled the holds
terrible ironies that the Crown didn’t intend
Sample
04. Ideals That Transcend
Thomas Jefferson
"Thomas Jefferson is a man of profound intellect and a fellow Virginian whose devotion to liberty is matched only by the complexity of his own heart. Though we have often disagreed on the path of our government, I know him to be a man of virtuous intent and deep honor. He remains a soul divided, caught between the soaring ideals of his pen and the heavy burdens of his own conscience. Yet, his brilliance is a foundation of our Republic, driven by passions that ignited our independence. I am certain his ideas will shape this land for as long as the American experiment shall stand."
I’ve pondered on accomplishments for my epitaph
beginning with the Declaration that I penned
Followed by religious freedom as my autograph
and ending with education that I commend
The quill with which I wrote the Declaration
quivered in my hand as I pondered on my life
I saw a higher standard for our future nation
but the truths of my existence cut like a knife
I know I am a man of deep contradiction
a champion of freedom but conflicted within
The light to hold aloft is not my imperfection
but ideals that transcend the frailty of men
I sought to free the mind from every heavy shackle
to illuminate and champion a brighter age
I edited the Gospels, eliminating miracles
allowing each to discover what is sacred
I know I am a man of deep contradiction
a champion of freedom but conflicted within
The light to hold aloft is not my imperfection
but ideals that transcend the frailty of men
I built a sanctuary for the human mind
a place of truth and elevated vision
A gift for every scholar that I had chosen
while others were refuted and excluded
I know I am a man of deep contradiction
a champion of freedom but conflicted within
The light to hold aloft is not my imperfection
but ideals that transcend the frailty of men
The seed that I planted with a hand heavy and stained
will grow from the darkness to prosper in coming years
The truth is a river, unstoppable and unrestrained
and will wash away immoral prejudice and fear
I’ve pondered on accomplishments for my epitaph
beginning with the Declaration
Sample
05. A Faithful Friend
Elizabeth Powel
"Elizabeth Powel was a woman of uncommon intellect and piercing candor, functioning as a vital intellectual peer and political confidante to the leading minds of our age. Her Philadelphia parlor served as a sanctuary of reason where she challenged and refined the ideas of men like Mr. Adams and Mr. Jefferson, grasping the complexities of governance as firmly as any statesman. While her spirited counsel was an essential anchor for many, it was her unwavering patriotism that proved most consequential to my own path. When my heart yearned for the peace of Mount Vernon, it was Eliza who challenged my resolve, famously reminding me that a premature retirement might damage our Great Experiment beyond repair. She remained the rarest of friends—one who spoke the truth without ornament—whose influence helped steady the course of our new nation."
I was born into a family both wealthy and influential
My position and my intellect gave me a seat at leading tables
I became an equal with the founders of our nation
Helping shape their thoughts and actions with my intuition
a faithful friend to the Republic, and a guardian of its birth
The General came when weary from the burdens of the state
to find a mind that understood the office and its weight
I saw the man who’d done enough, and longed for private rest
but with a voice of gentle candor, I spoke to virtue he possessed
I took my pen to warn him that his duty wasn't done
for the Republic might not stand without its greatest son
I was born into a family both wealthy and influential
My position and my intellect gave me a seat at leading tables
I became an equal with the founders of our nation
Helping shape their thoughts and actions with my intuition
a faithful friend to the Republic, and a guardian of its birth
Then came the test of Adams, filled with fire and with pride
a brilliant, restless spirit with no filter from his mind
I learned the art of listening to the passions of his soul
to steady his momentum and to help him keep control
I offered him a sanctuary where his thoughts could find their way
and in the heat of conflict, I knew just the words to say
I was born into a family both wealthy and influential
My position and my intellect gave me a seat at leading tables
I became an equal with the founders of our nation
Helping shape their thoughts and actions with my intuition
a faithful friend to the Republic, and a guardian of its birth
Then Jefferson arrived with ideals both polished and refined
to argue for the people and the power of their might
I challenged his philosophy and questioned every plan
a mind to match the logic of a complicated man
I offered him a sanctuary where his thoughts could find their way
and in the heat of conflict, I knew just the words to say
I passed by Franklin as he departed from the chamber
and asked for his opinion on our new form of government
His answer was both clear and stark - a truth we should consider
“A Republic,” he said, “if you can keep it.”
Sample
06. Safe from Hangman’s Noose
Benjamin Franklin
"I have always held the highest admiration for Dr. Franklin, viewing his superior intellect as a primary pillar of our Republic. Though our temperaments differed, I marveled at the sagacity and diplomatic grace he employed to secure our hard-won liberty. I considered his presence in our councils a blessing, as his international reputation lent a unique dignity to the American cause. His legacy remains etched in our foundations, leaving behind a standard of wisdom and public service that will guide generations of patriots."
For many years I lived a loyal Briton
‘midst sixteen summers with my brothers spent
Within that grand, imperial vision
a place of grace and noble refinement
Like a large and beautiful porcelain vase
a unique and ancient glory nothing could replace
In seventy-four, to my great sorrow
I felt the weight of English proud belief
That ruffians meant to beg and borrow
was all they saw in our colonial grief
The noble vase was not just cracked, but shattered
by English hands so cruelly bashed and battered
The fame I gained from those experiments
gave rise to many opportunities
To serve at home and for the cause in France
with strategy and wise philosophy
Helping make us safe from hangman’s noose
The French Alliance was a vital win
a goal in Paris which I helped achieve
With men and treasure, the way was open
to give my brethren critical relief
Those who were once as dear as family
forfeited love through acts of cruel tyranny
The fame I gained from those experiments
gave rise to many opportunities
To serve at home and for the cause in France
with strategy and wise philosophy
Helping make us safe from hangman’s noose
The Peace of Paris sealed our victory
a crowning glory from my long career
We doubled our young land’s territory
to fuel the industry we hold so dear
We’ve traded a small room with a very heavy rent
for a great mansion with no landlord or extent
The fame I gained from those experiments
gave rise to many opportunities
To serve at home and for the cause in France
with strategy and wise philosophy
Helping make us safe from hangman’s noose
I hope the English find that we are not ungrateful
for ancient bonds we once held so very dear
But sometimes rebellion, though seeming fateful
is now and then quite good and commendable
Sample
07. Back to Golden Pen
Isaiah Thomas
"While Samuel Adams was the architect of liberty in Boston, young Isaiah Thomas served as its speaking trumpet, a restless agitator whose Massachusetts Spy became a dangerous instrument for the Patriot cause. An expert printer with a subversive streak, Thomas famously adopted Dr. Franklin’s 'Join, or Die' device for his masthead, signaling a defiance that few dared to mirror. He was a man of a different stripe—an irreverent provocateur who delighted in pricking the pride of the King’s ministers. Where I sought to maintain the gravity of our movement, he was content to drag the Crown through the mud of the public square; yet, a revolution requires both the steady hand of the officer and the sharp tongue of the printer."
Old Franklin and I shared a life of printer's ink
exposing rot that withered in the light
He mocked every fool with a polished needle wit
I roused the pitchfork people to the fight
Samuel Adams was a bold and driven brother
our blended voices spanned the colonies
The Spy stripped bare the Lion's lies and mocked each blunder
to bring the Crown down on its royal knees
The reason I wrote and carved those broadside sheets
was to pierce the heart of common working men
Unmasking British fools of incompetent conceit
to drive royal swine back to golden pen
With treason on my lips and whispers of death in my ears
I moved the press away piece by piece in the night
Preserving the voice that fueled our rise to arms
and was first to write of that famous shot
The reason I wrote and carved those broadside sheets
was to pierce the heart of common working men
Unmasking British fools of incompetent conceit
to drive royal swine back to golden pen
My legacy is found on scraps of tattered paper
that helped create the freedom of the press
I traded comforts for a life of danger
but it was worth it to the very end
The reason I wrote and carved those broadside sheets
was to pierce the heart of common working men
Unmasking British fools of incompetent conceit
to drive royal swine back to golden pen
Sample
08. So Dearly Won
Samuel Kendall
"I recall the story of Samuel Kendall, who served on the frontier where militias stood as a shield against Native American raids backed by the British. Though the war left him injured, he returned to his community not as a casualty, but as a cornerstone—a man whose spirit was so irrepressible he was famously cast from several meeting houses for the "sin" of playing his violin with too much vigor. Beneath that humorous defiance lay a profound understanding that the rights we dearly won are a sacred inheritance. He lived to show us that a soldier’s true victory is found in the useful, honorable life he leads long after the guns have fallen silent, protecting our individual liberty as fiercely as he once guarded the frontier soil."
In the years of revolution, the Crown oft hired the native tribes
from the gates of Fort Detroit, they sent them out with bribes
Upon the settlers of the wild and stark frontier
to keep local militia from drawing ever near
’Twas a tactic of diversion from the theaters of war
to keep the men from joining where the conflict mattered more
As they stayed to guard the homesteads of their Continental kin
they protected patriot families from the raiders coming in
I fought for those whose men and brothers,
had left for battles far and wide
They prayed for victory and protection
and having loved ones at their side
When the Revolution came to its conclusion
I found the fighting shifted in a strange direction
Between kith and kin of differing opinions
brawling for things they thought were right
So why can’t we live in peace and unity
when that liberty was so dearly won
One day while we were scouting for the signs of enemy
in a skirmish with the proxies, I took a ball that broke my knee
It left me lame and mangled for the remnant of my days
to walk a slower journey, but with a steadier gaze
Not one to murmur in a hobble, I kept productive for my kin
in service to my neighbors with the work I mastered in
I even played the violin for my congregation
until they cast me out as a vexatious person
I learned that some prefer a long face
a funeral, and a fuss
To respecting all that God has made
and inspired in each of us
When the Revolution came to its conclusion
I found the fighting shifted in a strange direction
Between kith and kin of differing opinions
brawling for things they thought were right
So why can’t we live in peace and unity
when that liberty was so dearly won
I finally won the battle of the violin
by fleeing those who opposed its use and sound
For none can prove it’s from the devil
when its tones draw the heavens close around
So why can’t we live in peace and unity
when that liberty was so dearly won
Sample
09. Nation That I Love
Alexander Hamilton
"I first took the measure of Alexander Hamilton in the smoke of the Revolution, where his brilliant pen and tactical acumen made him my most indispensable aide. He is a man of singular genius, possessing an intellect that moves with the speed of lightning, and a devotion to the Republic that is absolute. As the architect of our nation's credit, he transformed a collection of bankrupt states into a respected power, though his bold spirit and sharp wit often kindled the partisan animosity I so deeply dread. Despite his volatile nature, his integrity remains unsullied, and his tireless service was an essential cornerstone that allowed our Great Experiment to endure its most fragile years."
At seventeen, my destiny was driven by my pen
from the Caribbean to New York’s distant shore
There I first learned to be a leader of men
and practiced the disciplines of war
A self-taught gunner before a single shot was fired
I rose in rank for the spirit I displayed
With my last gold, my men were fully outfitted
until Washington absorbed us to Continental brigade
As the architect of our financial union
I placed the nation’s honor above my own
Though I’ve been maligned and oversimplified
despite the shadows of my private weakness
I gave my best for the nation that I love
My guns at Trenton caught the General’s watchful eye
he saw a gifted prodigy, but valued more my pen
I drafted every letter as the glory passed me by
hungry for the field and the code of fighting men
I finally traded pen for sword as Yorktown’s call was made
my unit crept in silence toward the redoubt known as ten
We quickly lit on enemy at point of bayonet
and stunned the British while hastening war's end
As the architect of our financial union
I placed the nation’s honor above my own
Though I’ve been maligned and oversimplified
despite the shadows of my private weakness
I gave my best for the nation that I love
I left the field for Congress where I witnessed fiscal strain
a government that begged for funds it could not yet command
It appeared our sacrifice was ending all in vain
with empty treasury that could grant no permanence
I found the perfect moment for my fiscal argument
and built a bank of credit where my theories were displayed
These principles were built into our framing document
a cornerstone of honor as the nation's debt is paid
As the architect of our financial union
I placed the nation’s honor above my own
Though I’ve been maligned and oversimplified
despite the shadows of my private weakness
I gave my best for the nation that I love
A reasonable national debt
will be to us a blessing
A powerful cement that’s set
to unify our growing nation
Sample
10. Heart of All the World
Elizabeth Jackson
"Elizabeth Jackson was a patriot of the highest order, a woman whose life stood as a testament to the staggering price of our freedom. To lose her husband, and later her two oldest sons to the struggle, and then to offer her own life while tending to the suffering of our brave captives, is a level of devotion that shames even the most decorated general. While her only surviving son, Andrew, may possess a temperament as jagged as the frontier he calls home, I see in his fierce defiance the reflection of his mother’s indomitable will. He was forged in the kiln of her sacrifice, a reminder that the steel in a man’s character is often tempered by the fire in his mother’s soul. Ultimately, her story reminds us that our independence was not won by the sword alone, but by the quiet, unrelenting courage of the wives and mothers whose sacrifices remain the hidden foundation of our liberty."
My soul was feeling frozen as they lowered mo chroí ("my heart" - my husband) into the ground
the accident had left me with two lads and one beneath my heart
The third was born into a house without a sire to be found
with no time for mourning, a woman forced into her fate
I had to find a way to roof their heads and fill their plates by hand
as was common for the women left by fighting men across the land
I am the breath that kept the embers bright
the steady hand that warmed each winter night
I taught my sons to be true and forge their way
though I may leave them lone to seize the day
Let the nation long remember, when its banners are unfurled
that the heart of every mother built the heart of all the world
A fragile peace was shattered soon by sabers clashing out my door
the lads of Waxhaws were soon broken, bodies bleeding on the ground
The crimson Redcoat slaughter was a brutal show of force
the only mercy for the dead was the hallowed shroud I bound
I was a lonely witness as the light of life departed from my oldest son
as was the cost for mothers before the revolution had been won
I am the breath that kept the embers bright
the steady hand that warmed each winter night
I taught my sons to be true and forge their way
though I may leave them lone to seize the day
Let the nation long remember, when its banners are unfurled
that the heart of every mother built the heart of all the world
My boys were taken captive and held within a vessel’s hold
where a fever and the hunger were tools of the enemy
My Robert was a victim of the sickness and the cold
though I won their freedom, yet I soon lost him to his destiny
I had to leave my only son with a heavy, breaking heart
as was the cost for mothers when our world was torn apart
I am the breath that kept the embers bright
the steady hand that warmed each winter night
Let the nation long remember, when its banners are unfurled
that the heart of every mother built the heart of all the world
The Discovery Companion
Bringing Our Heritage to Life: A New Way to Experience the Journey
The American story is a vibrant legacy of courage, vision, and the enduring human spirit. To help you and your loved ones step directly into that light, we are gifting our high-quality tool of engagement—the 130-page Discovery Companion—with every download. This immersive narrative odyssey is our gift to you in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. It is designed specifically to help you make your own journey to liberty more personal and meaningful, offering many opportunities to engage with the music and with others on the inspiring accounts of our founding.
This companion acts as a bridge, inviting you to gather your family, friends, and neighbors to celebrate our remarkable heritage. It serves as the definitive guide to the full "Washington’s Final Testament" version of the Journey to Liberty, encompassing all 25 songs that spotlight key events and inspiring accounts of patriots who helped shape our nation.
A Look Inside the Companion
The Discovery Companion is organized into modules designed to guide you through the music and the narrative. Each section is crafted to deepen your connection to the story:
The Narrative Listening Guides: These sections set the stage for each chapter of the journey. They provide the historical atmosphere and storytelling context, helping you hear the music through the eyes of those who lived it.
Lyrics and Legacy: Follow along with the full lyrics of every song while exploring the deeper meaning behind the verses. This section connects specific poetic lines to the real-world motivations and milestones that laid the foundations of our liberty.
Narrative Landscapes: This module provides the essential context behind the conflict, exploring the different perspectives and tensions of the era. It helps you understand the "why" behind the history, turning complex events into a resonant human story.
Heritage Source Deep Dives: We provide direct links to verified digital artifacts, allowing you to examine physical history from your own home. You can explore original documents, newspapers, and artifacts that bring a sense of tangible reality to the music.
'Theater of the Mind' Activities: These prompts invite you to step into the past and think from the perspective of those who were there. These activities turn listening into an active discovery, encouraging you to imagine your own responses to the events of the day.
Key Discoveries: Every module concludes with opportunities for reflection and sharing personal insights. These explore the true nature of the struggle—moving from history to the enduring ideas of unity, self-governance, and the shared inheritance of freedom.
Connecting with the Heart of the Story
The American story is, at its core, a story of people. While the music and narratives provide the backdrop, the history feels most relevant when we take a moment to look a little closer at the ideas behind the events. By thinking about how these themes still resonate in our world today, the characters and their choices start to feel less like legends and more like real people we can relate to. It’s about finding those personal "aha" moments that make the journey feel like your own.
Sparking Great Conversations
The most beautiful part of our heritage is how it brings us together. Whether around a dinner table or in a community circle, the Companion provides the structure for a shared experience. It allows different generations to gather, listen to the music together, and share what they find most inspiring about the journey.
Learn more about the Discovery Guide and view a sample Module here.
As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation and beyond, the Discovery Companion is our way of inviting you and those you love to make these memories even more impactful. We invite you to gather your favorite people, turn on the music, and see where this remarkable journey takes you.
About the Creator
Creator Steve Mortensen has produced computer-based music since 1987. An avid student of American history, his various passions as a storyteller, teacher, and photographer converged in early 2026 with the birth of Road to Liberty, a project celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Steve’s connection to the Revolution is personal - he is a descendant of a Continental soldier who served at Saratoga and Valley Forge and also a distant kinsman of many Founders. He is an Eagle Scout, and a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
The Creative Process
Steve authored every lyric (and Washington preamble) and used artificial intelligence as a collaborative session musician to bring them to life. The process is a modern revolution of traditional music production. Rather than directing live musicians, Steve refines lyrics and prompts through countless iterations until the "perfect take" is captured.
Musical Snapshots™
The songs in this collection are akin to action photography - each captures a specific, high-energy or intimate moment in time. Like a live performance, the music may possess minor imperfections, but it carries a raw, moving energy that can never be replicated exactly. These Musical Snapshots™ represent the current intersection of human creativity and technological magic, where the heart of the lyric drives the soul of each song.
History and Imagination
While these Musical Snapshots™ are rooted in historical research, the author has occasionally taken minor artistic liberties. This collection seeks to honor the truth and spirit of the past while allowing for some creative flexibility.
The Personal Legacy of Liberty
While Steve’s work on this project began as an exploration into American history to coincide with the nation’s semiquincentennial, the journey eventually took on a much more personal significance. He shares the following reflection on how his genealogical discoveries shaped his perspective:
"Tracing my lineage to the following patriots has been a transformative discovery of the familial connections we share with our forebears. Tens of millions of us share similar relationships to America's founders. This project is a tribute to the example and sacrifice of those who helped establish our nation.
Learning from their words and actions provides unique inspiration that enriches my life in meaningful ways. I believe that whether our relatives were famous founders or ordinary people, uncovering their extraordinary stories can enhance our lives and highlight the shared human experience that binds us all. Ultimately, exploring our origins offers a unique opportunity to be moved by the legacies of those who paved the way for us."
George Washington – 6th cousin, 7 times removed
John Adams – 2nd cousin, 8 times removed
Thomas Jefferson – 6th cousin, 7 times removed
Elizabeth Jackson – 5th cousin, 10 times removed
Elizabeth Powel – 4th cousin, 7 times removed
Benjamin Franklin – 4th cousin, 11 times removed
Isaiah Thomas – 6th cousin, 8 times removed
Samuel Adams – 3rd cousin, 7 times removed
Alexander Hamilton – 3rd cousin, 8 times removed
Noah Warner – 5th great-grandfather
Samuel Kendall – 5th great-grandfather
William Billings – 4th cousin, 10 times removed
Martha Washington – 4th cousin, 9 times removed
Abigail Adams – 3rd cousin, 9 times removed
James Madison – 4th cousin, 9 times removed
James Monroe – 6th cousin, 7 times removed
John Quincy Adams – 6th cousin, 7 times removed
Andrew Jackson – 6th cousin, 9 times removed
John Hancock – 3rd cousin, 11 times removed
Patrick Henry – 4th cousin, 7 times removed
Richard Henry Lee – 6th cousin, 6 times removed
Roger Sherman – 4th cousin, 10 times removed
Paul Revere – 4th cousin, 8 times removed
Joseph Warren – 4th cousin, 8 times removed
Horatio Gates – 5th cousin, 9 times removed
These personal connections were brought to light thanks to the extensive genealogical records and research tools curated by FamilySearch.org.
Companion Albums
Road to Liberty
An immersive chronicle of thirteen pivotal Revolutionary milestones, honoring the fondest hope of our nation’s founders—that the sacred fire of their hard-won lessons
remains bright and vibrant for its people today.
Journey to Liberty
A sweeping twenty-five-song
odyssey bridging the Revolution’s key milestones with visceral accounts of its participants, transforming the past into shared memories of determination and hope to inspire modern hearts.
...millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.