I DREAMED I SAW PHIL OCHS LAST NIGHT
(Jonathan Talbot/Earl Robinson)

I dreamed I saw Phil Ochs last night
Alive as you and me
Says I "But Phil you're decades dead"
"I never died" says he
"I never died" says he

"Phil, we need new songs"says I
"There's suffering in the land.
Good folks are hurting really bad"
Says Phil "I understand"
Says Phil "I understand"

" It's Robertson and Gingrich" Phil,
"And Liddy on the air,
They're preaching hate and cruelty"
Says Phil "Don't you despair"
Says Phil "Don't you despair"

"But Phil," says I "their words of hate
Are moving some to kill
With high speed guns and home made bombs"
"I know, I know" says Phil
"It makes me sad" says Phil

"The sadness broke my heart" says Phil
"My writing days are through,
Pick up your pen" he says to me
"'Cause now it's up to you
Now it's up to you"

"Write your songs" Phil says to me,
and sing them far and wide,
And every time you write and sing
I'll be there by your side"
He's right there by my side.

(Repeat first verse)

Notes:
The lyrics of this song were published in Sing Out magazine vol4 no.3 p. 116 (Nov/Dec'95/Jan'96).
RP jul07