In the film the song is sung by Warren Oates who plays the part of "Muff Potter". Muff is the "town drunk" and this is his philosophy song. Aunt Polly believes that Muff is a bad influence on Tom Sawyer (Johnny Whitaker), but it is Tom who saves Muff and builds character in the process. The Sherman Brothers and John Williams share an Oscar nomination for "Best Music, Scoring Original Song Score and/or Adaptation and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Score for Motion Picture - Musical/Comedy.