Phil Ochs
Phil Ochs
Philip David "Phil" Ochswas an American protest singerand songwriter who was known for his sharp wit, sardonic humor, earnest humanism, political activism, insightful and alliterative lyrics, and distinctive voice. He wrote hundreds of songs in the 1960s and 1970s and released eight albums...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionFolk Singer
Date of Birth19 December 1940
CityEl Paso, TX
CountryUnited States of America
america closer creative dying energies form given help hostile leave less police power unleashed wealthy
Leave the old and dying America and use your creative energies to help form a new America, which would be de-militarized, more humanistic, where the police are less hostile and closer to the community, where the wealthy are not given unleashed power for the exploitation of the people.
drinking fun smoking
Smoking marijuana is more fun than drinking beer.
running pain answers
The painter paints his brushes blackThrough the canvas runs a crackPortrait of the pain never answers back.
war fighting land
Oh you tell me that there's danger to the land you call your ownAnd you watch them build the war machine right beside your homeAnd you tell me that you're ready to go marchin' to the warI know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?
war blood politics
If you ever get a war without blood and gore, well, I'll be the first to go.
grieving politics gargoyles
One legged veterans will greet the dawn, and they're whistling marches as they mow the lawn, and the gargoyles on sit and grieve.
politics glory died
The glory that was Lincoln's never died when he was slain.
boys years law
In the state of Mississippi, Many Years Ago, a boy of 14 years got a taste of Southern law.
couple reality years
[The Yippie demonstrations] were merely an attack of mental disobedience on an obediently insane society ... and if you feel you have been living in an unreal world for the last couple of years, it is particularly because this power structure has refused to listen to reason ... Step outside the guidelines of the official umpires and make your own rules and your own reality.
country bombs ruins
Show me a country where the bombs had to fallShow me the ruins of buildings so tallAnd I'll show you a young landWith many reasons whyThere but for fortune, go you or IYou or I.
strong land our-love
Only as strong as our love for this land, only as tall as we stand.
leader would-be revolution
The only possibility in the United States for a humane society would be a revolution with Elvis Presley as leader.
song philosophical writing
I write all my own songs and they are just simple melodies with a lot of lyrics. They usually have to do with current events and what is going on in the news. You can call them topical songs, songs about the news, and then developing into more philosophical songs later.
country war boys
So do your duty, boys, and join with prideServe your country in her suicideFind the flags so you can wave goodbyeBut just before the end even treason might be worth a tryThis country is too young to dieI declare the war is overIt's over, it's over.