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User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
GUEST,bob f Songs for/about Phil Ochs (134* d) Lyr Add: THE PEOPLE'S FOLKSINGER (Bob A Feldman) 23 Oct 08


Another eulogistic folk song for/about Phil Ochs, "The People's Folksinger," was written shortly after his death in 1976. Following are the lyrics:

THE PEOPLE'S FOLKSINGER
(Bob A Feldman)

Up there on the stage, they're singing your songs
Yet something seems strange and something seems wrong
At events like this
You were always there
For you were The People's Folksinger.

You quit writing news and grasped the guitar
You composed many tunes and sang in the bars
You exposed the truth
Just like Woody's heir
For you were The People's Folksinger.

Through long years of war, your poems said it all
Despite gaining fame, you still served the Cause
The tyrants that rule
Your voice brought them fear
For you were The People's Folksinger.

They sent their police to keep you in line
Their radio sounds excluded your mind
You felt more sad
And created no more
But you were The People's Folksinger.

I wish you still lived in these changing times
I wish you were here to sing of new crimes
Your memory
New songs inspires
For you were The People's Folksinger.

Notes: From Bob:-"Glad you found The People's Folksinger lyrics of interest. I wrote this eulogistic folk song for Phil when I was living out in Berkeley, California, shortly after Phil's death in April 1976." RP Oct08


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