Songs for/about Phil Ochs

Subject: Lyr Add: JOHN TRAIN (Matt Wixson)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 09 Jun 10 - 05:23 PM

JOHN TRAIN
(Matt Wixson)

Well you can see me coming, I'm roaring down the track
My pants are two weeks dirty with a pipe stuffed down the back
A reflection of a life that never quite made history
You all know my old friend Bobby but you don't remember

My name is Train, John Train
My name is Train, John Train

If you're wondering where I come from, brother I'd be glad to tell
Oh I start my biography at the Chelsea Hotel
That's where I committed murder back in 1975
When two men walked on in, but I'm the one that's still alive

My name is Train, John Train
My name is Train, John Train

It used to be so easy, no I didn't need to try
The CIA is after me, so is the FBI
Now I'm wallowing in madness, all the glory days behind
And I thought a little homicide might help me clear my mind

My name is Train, John Train
My name is Train, John Train

Well you can see me coming, I'm roaring down the track
My pants are two weeks dirty with a pipe stuffed down the back
A reflection of a life that never quite made history
You all know my old friend Bobby but you don't remember me

My name is Train, John Train
My name is Train, John Train

Notes:
Features on the CD "Honest Living" (Open Hand Records) 2009.
Here is what Matt had to say about the song:
"I know I wrote the song in the summer of 2009, shortly after finishing There But for Fortune: The Life of Phil Ochs by Michael Schumacher. The tragic character of John Train seemed perfect for an "outlaw country" kind of narrative. I think I also see some of myself in Phil's alter ego, which seems to be a manifestation of mental illness of course but also frustration with an unsatisfying career for Phil. I hope I never go down that same path, of course, but sometimes I worry. The recording, of course, is actually a reggae song, in the style reggae was played at the end of the 1960's, but I think the country feel of the songwriting still comes through strong."

RP Jun2010

Subject: Lyr Add: FOR PHIL (OCHS) AND OTHERS (Blanks)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 21 Jun 10 - 06:42 PM

FOR PHIL (OCHS) AND OTHERS
(Blanks)

Let's begin with Phil near a window, still
With the thoughts we thought we'd had to kill
He marched with us he never switched sides
The story of a lover who didn't have to die
They tried to drown you in the shifting sand
But you hit back in a protest planned,
You would understand

Tripping, sleeping on a floor piled with clothes
A ghost he is gripping all the windows
And though the glass was clouded with frost
We brought in the shows of those who were lost
They tried to drown you in the shifting sand
But you hit back in a protest planned,
You would understand

Now we give away the shadow smiles
To fight the arrest and all the trials
The songs of Phil, your window still
With the thoughts you thought we had to kill.

Notes: Transcription of the lyrics from the recording was very difficult, and while they will be largely correct, I cannot guarantee complete accuracy. The song appeared on "If This Had Been An Actual Emergency", (Falsified Records OX752, 1990). While I have listed the band as the author, in all probability the author was just one or two members of the band for whom I do not have any names.

RP Jul10

Subject: Lyr Add: BROTHER PHIL (Abbie Hoffman)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 23 Jun 10 - 08:18 AM

BROTHER PHIL
(Abbie Hoffman)

I saw him there on freedom's trail
a-roaring songs and making bail
We walked along through Georgia mud
A-shouting out at racist crud

Chorus
He fought the war, he won the fight
His battles done he did it right
Our brother died, our brother's gone
It's up to us to carry on

Chicago shook him at a scene
He wandered off to find his dream
To Chile town for spirit pride
Sadly crushed one bloody night

Chorus
Down Africa to loosen chains
Wound round their necks like horses reins
To pound the beat, to work for peace
Oh what a shame they rigged the lease

Chorus
He tried to run, he tried to hide
But the pain bore deep inside
His cause was shot, he'd lost his roar
And brother Phil would march no more

Chorus
Now shed no tears for brother Phil
For others rise and march they will
He's playing in a loving band
He gotta hold of angels hand

Chorus
I'll be seeing yuh. (spoken)

Notes: This song, which Abbie wrote on hearing of Phil's death was recorded on tape and played at Phil's memorial concert at the Felt Forum in New York on May 28th 1976. Abbie, who at the time was a fugitive from the law attended the memorial in diguise, even though he risked arrest and imprisonment.

In 1984, Abbie was interviewed for Michael Korolenko's biopic "Chords of Fame, this is what he had to say about the song:

"I was in Montreal I guess in '76, when it, when it uh, when I heard the news, so I uh, I wrote a song, my first song about it, and I said….. because they asked me to participate in the benefit they were gonna…. the memorial they were gonna have to Phil in New York and I came. I was…actually I was scared outa my wits, got all disguised up, everybody recognised me though, knew it was me, and uh paid a tribute to Phil, now he's gone, left us here so sing a song. What can I say? The battle goes on." He then sang:

"I saw him there on freedom's trail
a-singing songs and making bail
We walked along through Georgia mud
A-shouting out at racist crud"

Now Phil has gone hm hm hm hm.
And left us here to sing his songs…..
………"
"Can't remember it all yuh know………"
RP Jul10

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jun 10 - 12:04 PM

Norman Blake has a song, "76 blues (+2)

    which seems to talk about Phil -

      I knew a man from New York state
      Believe me friends he tried
      He believed in every word he sang
      Then he hung himself and died
      And its a hard road I'm travelling on

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: Rog Peek
Date: 23 Jun 10 - 01:12 PM

Thank you Guest

Have you any more info, such as what album it might be on?

Rog

Subject: Lyr Add: REMEMBER PHIL OCHS (Voice of Reason)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 03:49 PM

REMEMBER PHIL OCHS
(Voice of Reason)

One naked drunk in the rain feeling no pain I looked away
Jumped in my car drove to the high school
Friend called me up on the phone I wasn't home, left was a note
The news is a nightmare how did it hit you
And it seemed like a line from a song that I knew
But I just couldn't place it so I didn't call 'til I knew

Chorus
Remember Phil Ochs all his songs all his jokes
And remember he cared for his brothers and sisters
Remember he stood for the true and the good
And his poetry spoke with a sensitive whisper
To the tender resister

Out from the west like a flash, Siamese clash, protest at last
He sang through the village stood in the front lines
There but for fortune a hit, that's when he split kissed by a miss   
Moved to the West coast the island of gold mines
Wrote some magical songs and recorded with care
And the harbour still shines, but the top forty wasn't aware

Chorus

Just like a reporter with news of the highway
He kept his mind open while feeding his soul
But what more could he give when they looked at him sideways
He'd given his best all in vain, where else could he go

He grew defensive and drunk, his writing was blocked, it seemed all was lost
The ultimate gamble, he'd make them listen
Exits create such a scene, the Kennedy dream, like Holly and Dean
He hung in the closet to be a legend
So I put on a tape, loop and went for a ride
And the song that I heard was called 'Don't Give Up You've Still Got Time'

Chorus

Notes: Song included on "Voice of Reason", (Tomorrow Records TLP-21088, 1987). Assume the writer was one of the band, but have no names.

RP Jul10

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 02:35 PM

Normal Blake's 76 Blues (+2)

       is on the recording "Directions"

       words and guitar tablature on the

       book "Norman Blake Anthology"


Thank you Guest.
Rog

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: Rog Peek
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 04:21 PM

It's three years to the day, that I started this thread. My, how time flies when you're enjoying yourself.

I am very pleased to have finally collected all the songs that were identified at the start, as well as many more.

The search goes on.........

Rog Peek

Subject: Lyr Add: SONG FOR PHIL (Jamie Crawford)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 10 Oct 10 - 05:33 PM

SONG FOR PHIL
(Jamie Crawford)

Hey Phil Ochs well I wrote you a song
But then you wrote so many for me
We all wear our fears on the inside well hidden
You wore yourself out for the whole world to see

And hey Phil tell me about the Village
And hey Phil was Chicago that bad
And hey Phil was LA still crazy
The Darkest of times that you had

I was knocked to the floor when I heard Crucifixion
With your voice swirling up out of cacophony
And the words gave me goose bumps just hearing you sing it
And I thought you were singing for me

And hey Phil what about Miami
And hey Phil was Ohio so bad
And hey Phil was LA still crazy
The darkest of times that you had

So I ended up Phil by writing this song
But you left the stage early so you can't sing along
You wore yourself for the whole word to see
And I always thought you were singing for me

But hey Phil you lived through Chicago
And hey Phil you made it through Chile
But hey Phil what was the trouble
Your last day in Far Rockaway

And hey Phil tell me about Newport
And hey Phil how was Carnegie Hall
You know Phil I always said you
Were my favorite singer of all

And hey Phil tell me about Dylan
And hey Phil how's about Jim and Jean
And hey Phil what of Wickham and Westin
Your friends on the Hollywood scene

And hey Phil tell me about the Village
And hey Phil was Ohio that bad
And hey Phil was LA still crazy
The darkest of times that you had
The darkest of times that you had
And the darkest times just weren't that bad.

Notes: Found this one posted on Yahoo 'Phil Ochs' group. When I requested permission to post on mudcat, and enquired about a recording, this was the reply: "I have no objection to publishing the lyrics. The song is only on live tapes at this point. Thanks for the interest." This is all the information I have apart from the fact that it was written c.1998.

RP Oct10

Subject: Lyr Add: 76 BLUES + 2 (Norman Blake)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 12 Oct 10 - 04:07 PM

76 BLUES + 2
(Norman Blake)

I've been to the east, I've been to the west,
I've travelled this world around
I'm a going on back to Georgia
To make my last go round
And it's a hard road I'm travelling on.

They say things are fine now,
In Nashville Tennessee
What with all those snakes just moving in
It's a Hollywood to me
And it's a hard road I'm travelling on.

Way down on the southern
Near the shore down whistle wind
Three miles south of Risen farm
Goin' to get here just on time
One hundred miles from Birmingham.

Lord inches, feet and miles and yards
Changes all around
A meter's what you put your money in
When you park down town
And it's a hard road I'm travelling on.

I knew a man from New York state
Believe me friends he tried
He believed in every word he sang
And then he hung hiself and died
It's a hard road he travelled on.

Well goin' up to the district
Washington DC
Lord if you wanna hail Columbia
Then friend don't bother me
Well it's a hard road we're travelled on

Just listen to me good people now
We're all in a hell of a fix
I got the same old blues in '78
That I had in '76
And it's a hard road we're travelling on.

Some day I'll write my travels down
In a big old book
Now I'm a goin' back to my home
Down in Johnson's Crook
It's a hard road I'm travelling on.

I've been to the east, I've been to the west,
I've travelled this world around
I'm a going on back to Georgia
To make my last go round
It's a hard road I've travelling on.

Notes: The verse that refers to Phil is in italics. The track was included on the album "Directions" (Takoma 1978), reissued on CD in 1987.

To confirm that the verse was indeed about Phil, I contacted Norman's agent and received the following in reply:
"I spoke with Norman and you are correct. The one verse in 76 Blues was in regards to Phil Ochs. Norman stated that he had no real personal involvement with Phil Ochs, it was "just in my mind at the time"... he wrote the song."

RP Oct10

Subject: Lyr Add: JAMES DEAN COMING OVER THE HILL (Tom Ovan
From: Rog Peek
Date: 20 Oct 10 - 02:56 PM

JAMES DEAN COMING OVER THE HILL
(Tom Ovans)

The sky is blue, the sky is black
John Train he ain't ever coming back

Papa was a rolling stone
Now he ain't nothing but a coughing bag of bones

Hang around this old town
They'll build you up just to cut you back down

Going down to New Orleans
Gonna make a deal, gonna get myself clean

Hey babe got my eye on you
A ranbling girl knows all about these blues

Jesus saves, Jesus kills
James Dean coming over the hill


Notes: This track features on "Dead South" (Demon 1997), with just the one line refering to Phil (in italics).
According to the following excerpt from a short bio of Tom Ovans, it seems that he had an association with Phil in the early seventies:
"As a chronicler and troubadour, Ovans has trod a rough and ragged musical path across the States. In the early '70s in New York City he walked the walk with a junked-out Tim Hardin and knocked-out loaded Phil Ochs"
Complete version can be found here

RP Oct10

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: GUEST,bobf
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 11:51 PM

recently posted a video of a public domain eulogistic folk song about Phil Ochs from 1976, "The People's Folksinger," at following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgzCpO8x_R0

Subject: Lyr Add: HELL NO BUT THE MONEY'S GOOD (Joe Hoffman
From: Rog Peek
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 03:09 PM

HELL NO BUT THE MONEY'S GOOD
(Joe Hoffmann)

Hey mister folk man why do you sing those songs
You think we'd understand now that you're gone
What's that I hear now, ballads and rags
Is there anybody here who'd wrap themselves in a flag
You sang so many songs, in so many towns
You made us laugh at the wrongs that you found
When asked if you meant those words that you sang, you said
"Hell no but the money's good."

Chorus
Hell no but the money's good folks
Hell no but the money's good
When asked if you meant those words that you sang, you said
Hell no but the money's good

You sang on top of trucks when the unions went on strike
You said "I can't spare a buck, but I sure as hell will fight."
There but for fortune may go you or I
And the power and the glory, yet all men must die
Why oh why would a man take his life
Why oh why oh why
When asked if you meant those words that you sang, you said
"Hell no but the money's good."

Chorus

Notes: Written by Joe Hoffmann of St. Louis, it was recorded by Robert Hoyt (whom I had previously believed to have written it) on "Dumpster Diving Across America" (Folk the Boat FTBRH204) 1993.

RPDec10

Subject: Lyr Add: BOTTOM OF THE LAND, PHIL (Robert Hoyt)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 14 Dec 10 - 09:47 AM

BOTTOM OF THE LAND, PHIL
(Robert Hoyt)

Where are those things you've worked for all your life
Where are the objects of your joy
Where are those things that you've come to expect
Where are the winner's toys

Chorus
Where will you find your place among things
Where will you find your strength
Where will you find the national will
It's all there in the bottom of the land, Phil

Garbage and peas and expired cheese
Good things no one'll ever taste
Paper galore and old two-by-fours
Whole forests laid to waste

Chorus

Well you won't get my cash and I'll steel your trash
Why should I spend it in your corporate store
You can compact it all to hell, but you can't hide the smell
And I'll still be hangin' 'round your back door.

Chorus
Free the trash!

Notes: This song appeared on the album "Dumpster Diving Across America" (Folk the Boat FTBRH204) 1993.
This is what Robert had to say about the song: "When Joe Hoffman first loaned me a Phil Ochs tape, I listened to it once and misplaced it. I wrote this song about over-consumption, garbage, and scavenging (i.e. dumpster diving). I then found the lost tape, and was more than a little dismayed at how badly I had musically ripped off old Phil. But then I realised that what I had created was an environmental protest tribute to Phil Ochs, and that it was not "fill" as in "landfill" but rather "Phil".

RPDec10

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: Rog Peek
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 08:08 AM

On Sunday last, I listened to a program on WFUV called "Woody's Children: Remembering Phil Ochs", at the end of which Bob Sherman the presenter played three tribute songs. One of these was "Accidental Pilgrimage" by Jen Cass, the details of which are already posted here. Another was "Message in a Bottle" by Ray Korona details of which I will post shortly.

A third was a song called "The Power and Glory" by the late Dave Carter. In the lyrics of this song, there is no direct reference to Phil, so I emailed Tracy Grammer to verify if this was in fact a tribute to Phil. Tracy had collaborated with Dave on three albums prior to his death in 2002, one of which contained the song in question. In her reply, Tracy said the song was not connected to Phil, and was in fact autobiographical.

Rog

Subject: Add Lyr: MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE (Ray Korona)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 02:50 PM

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
(Ray Korona)

Alisha didn't have a press secretary
To put her message on TV.
She wrote it down on paper; stuffed it in a bottle;
Threw the bottle into the sea.
She wrote the note in England in her kindergarten;
Said write me if you get this someday.
She heard back from Australia. Bob found the bottle
Nine thousand miles away!

chorus:
Imagine your dreams coming true.
Find a way that works for you.
Reach out from wherever you are,
You'll get through. You'll get through.

Phil Ochs didn't have a big record label
To make his name a household word.
He had a lot to say; wrote it in his music;
Tried to find a way to be heard.
A homemade magazine, speaking out for justice,
Transcribed the songs Phil would play.
They started getting sung back in the sixties, and
Thousands still sing them today!

repeat chorus

Maybe you don't have a high-powered agent;
No media contacts to call.
No email spam list, not even a bottle, but
Maybe you don't need them at all!

repeat chorus

tag
You'll get through. You'll get through.

Notes: First heard this yesterday on 'Woody's Children: Remembering Phil Ochs' presented by Bob Sherman on WFUV. It is performed by The Ray Korona Band on the album "A Little Too Much Sunshine" (Hobo Star Music B0047GPHXS) 2010.

RPApr11

Subject: Lyr Add: STARS THAT ARE SILVER (Ralph Alfonso)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 08 Oct 11 - 05:14 PM

STARS THAT ARE SILVER
(Ralph Alfonso)

Stars that are silver
And stars that are gold
These are the stars I
I never will hold
And the gates to heaven
They never will close
And where God will find me
Oh well God only knows

Stars that are silver
And stars that are gold
There is no comfort
For a life I have sold
And there but for fortune
My story is told
Stars that are silver
And stars that are gold

Stars that are silver
And stars that are gold
These are the stars I
I never will hold
And the gates to heaven
They never will close
And where God will find me
Well God only knows


Notes: Here is an excerpt from a piece Ralph wrote advertising a showing of 'PHIL OCHS - There But For Fortune' in Montreal September 2011:
"As a special treat, we are happy to offer a free download of a tribute song that I wrote for Phil Ochs a few years ago and by the powers of kismet, manages to tie in both Phil Ochs and the Vancouver punk scene as it features myself on vocals with Gord Nicholl (Pointed Sticks) on keyboards who also recorded and mixed it with Buck Cherry (Modernettes) at their Vancouver studios, Paramount Recorders. On electric guitar is Michael Rummen (Four Horsemen, Bruno Gerussi's Medallion, Ralph) and on acoustic guitar is Dave Rave (Teenage Head). They are all featured on the "electric" version. There is also an acoustic version which is just Dave and myself. I have only ever performed this song once or twice live and it always garners an appreciative response. Phil Ochs and his music touched a lot of people."

RP Oct11

Subject: Lyr Add: FAREWELL TROUBADOUR (Gary Kanter)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 08 Jan 12 - 07:02 AM

FAREWELL TROUBADOUR (Phil Ochs)
(Gary Kanter)

I remember New York City
I remember sitting pretty
I remember listening to you
I recall the words you sang
Followed the bell you rang
I remember wanting to sing too.

Chorus
Farewell Troubadour
You sang to stop a war
You ain't marching anymore
They're power was your glory

I can still hear your guitar
Don't feel you're very far
Away from all of the things
You helped us to see and be
Peaceful soldier of the fight
Against the wrongs and for the rights
Anybody wishing to be free

Chorus
A friend to those who were afraid
Strength to those who were betrayed
And in our hearts and deeds
You're always gonna' live
Life can be so hard at times
For a poet lost in his rhymes
Somehow feels he's got no more to give

Chorus

Notes: This song appears on the album "Goodbye, Dr. Laura" (Gary Kanter 884502872750) 2010. There is a live version on utube.

RP Jan2012

Subject: Lyr Add: LOVE ME (Chumbawamba)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 19 Feb 12 - 08:15 AM

LOVE ME
(Chumbawamba)

Im an anarchist. Im the anti-christ. Well, sort of... Not really. Its not big,
Its not clever. Im quite a reasonable fella. Your friendly uncle, good with
kids, good ol' paternalist Pop. Good cop, Bad cop, Good cop, Bad cop, Good
cop, Good cop. I was a wannabe and wannabe's dont know what they want to be. I
neednt have worried cos the man upstairs was looking out for me. God gave me the
finger with his free hand, now Im his left hand man. Hey punk! Dont call me
mac, my name is Johnny Trabant!
(Chorus)
Love Me, Love Me
Love Me, Love Me
Love Me, Love Me
Love Me, Love Me
Take Me, Take Me
Seriously
Love Me, Love Me
Love Me, Love Me

They call me the great pretender - John Noakes was my mentor. Im a walking
talking ideas man, heres one I prepared earlier. Stretch Armstrong and his
rubber band. Edwin Meese and the sex police. Please Mr Postman, post-post
modern, deliver us from Elvis. Be-bop-a-lula yes my baby, does good culture yes!
Now I found what Im looking for, I find myself in another fine mess. Someone
muddied my waters. I lost my way but now I see. I O.d'd on irony. I'll
rediscover God for the next L.P.

(Chorus)
Love Me, Love Me
Love Me, Love Me
Love Me, Love Me
Love Me, Love Me
Take Me, Take Me
Seriously
Love Me, Love Me
Love Me, Love Me

Bend me shake me any way you want me, whatever you want, Ill be your hearts
desire. Black and cuddly, you want love me. Pop my cork, watch me pop like
bubbly. Hot or not, youve got to use what youve got. Where's the weak spot, let
me take a shot. What a turn on. Does it feel lovely? Love me love me love me
love me . . .

"Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, how you came up. Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, heavens above!"

Johhny Johnny wherefore art thou, how goes Victor Jara? I got a stadium sized
pro rata headache. Pretentious, moi? The ghost of Eamonn Andrews smiling
watching over me. I love it. Lets shoot it. Johnny Trabba The Movie. I paid my
dues, I sung the blues and I've done pain and personal hell. Pass me the phone I got
calls to make, this will sell and sell. I'm as Bob Roberts to your Phil Ochs,
talking political. So love, love me, love me Im a liberal!

(Chorus)
Love Me, Love Me
Love Me, Love Me
Love Me, Love Me
Love Me, Love Me
Take Me, Take Me
Seriously
Love Me, Love Me
Freeze Frame Love Me.

Notes: When I found this listed in Wikipedia, I'd not heard it or seen the lyrics, so I contacted Chumbawamba, and received the following reply from Boff Whalley: "Here you go – the song and the lyrics. It's called 'Love Me' (as in Love me I'm A Liberal). Not actually 'about' Phil Ochs but definitely in homage to, and inspired by, him......."
The Track can be found on the album "Anarchy" (One Little Indian/London B000006XLA)1994. There are live versions on utube.

RP Feb12

Subject: Lyr Add: JOHN BUTLER TRAIN (Beresford/Delaney)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 26 Aug 14 - 10:07 AM

JOHN BUTLER TRAIN-FOR PHIL OCHS
(K Beresford/ JAG Delaney)

I tried to flee the country,
Flee the sun, flee my head
But it seems that someone's chasing me
And that someone wants me dead
I don't know who he is…
He speaks with familiarity
I woke up this morning and realised….
He's the darker part of me.

Later on they called it an 'artistic tragedy'
The flame that burns too brightly
Burns out fast, if you see…
But I know I was taken by
Someone who hated me
The police will never catch the villain now
He hides inside of me

Chorus
And it's no use running
From the John Butler Train
Your feet can count the miles
But no distance can be gained
Bearing down on me
Is the John Butler Train
Before I can get up
He's knocked me hard down again
John Butler Train

Years ago my mother called me by another name
I'm not sure I would know it now
If she hollered me again
These days I prefer to go by
John Butler Train
I wish someone could reach me in my pain
Or take away my ticket for this train

Chorus
The legacy that I leave you
Will be washed away by rain
Only a few melodies remain
Carved upon my gravestone
You can just make out a name
Underneath graffiti left behind
By John Butler Train.

Notes: The song was written by Kate Beresford and Jon Delaney, members of the "Funky Folk" quartet Kismet Hardy based in Northants England. The song was written in 2011 and can be heard on UTube being performed in September 2012.

RP Aug14

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: Felipa
Date: 30 Aug 15 - 06:02 PM

https://poeturja.wordpress.com/category/causes/

Phil ochs i aint marching anymore
Phil's voice echoing in my mind
As I learn to play
My new ukulele

Here are the chords
No riff, but couldn't do justice
To the memorable, musical phrase
That always gave me chills when a teen

Listening to him on late-night weekend FM
No commercials in the sixties
Bought the album
Saw him countless times at folk festivals
And Philly coffee houses
Spoke to him twice
Well, in my ultra-shy way
Went through a period of
Perverting his song
As I tired from marching
Although it was to prevent the type of marching
Phil Ochs meant

Anti-war but also voting rights, Women's Lib
War just kept coming
Voters got rights but stopped voting
Women didn't want equality if it meant
Sharing a bathroom with men

In frustration I invoked the words of
Phil Ochs
Silently shouting:
"I Ain't Marching Anymore"!
But got through that phase
An activist works for the common good
Not for the individuals who may pervert the act

So here I am
Almost a quarter of the way into
The twenty-first century
Voice scratchy
The pressing of frets slow
Giggling attitude toward my ineptitude
But playing and singing
Phil Ochs' call to war
Against war

So here I am
Daring to replicate the sacred chords
Of I Ain't Marching Anymore
What a high…

© Clarissa Simmens (ViataMaja)

Here's a Youtube link to the song: https://youtu.be/gv1KEF8Uw2k

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: Felipa
Date: 30 Aug 15 - 06:08 PM

re Jen Cass lyrics posted 13 Sept 2008; youtube of Jen singing her tribute to Phil Ochs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cogDC_7gXw&feature

Subject: Lyr Add: IT'S A HELLUVA PARTY (Gary Kanter)
From: Rog Peek
Date: 10 Dec 15 - 04:47 AM

IT'S A HELLUVA PARTY
(Gary Kanter)

I died in my sleep, I went up to the pearly gates
St. Peter met me there he said "Sorry son you're gonna have to wait
He conferred with Jerry Falwell and some preacher types that I did not know
He said "Sorry son to tell you this, you're going down below.
Devil met me there and he handed me a drink
He said "You're gonna love it here regardless what the upstairs neighbours think
There's losts of happy souls inside wating for you to arrive
To share our little blast the likes of which you never saw when you were alive

It's a hell of a party, it's still going on
Mama don't you weep for me now that I am dead and gone
It's a hell of a party, to celebrate my fall
And the best part of the party is we're never gonna hear the words "Last call"

Jerry Garcia played guitar, Paganini bowed the violin
George Carman read my eulogy and Molly Ivins waved me in
Caruso sang from Figaro and Lady sang the blues
Ella sang some scat, Phil Ochs sang the news
The great W. C. Fields was right at home behind the bar
Orson Wells filmed it all right behind a big Cuban cigar
Ginger said to Fred "Now you know just how it feels"
Doing everything you had to do backwards and in high heels

It's a hell of a party, it's still going on
Mama don't you weep for me now that I am dead and gone
It's a hell of a party, to celebrate my fall
And the best part of the party is we're never gonna hear the words "Last call"

I walked down in the garden, never was I ever ever so glad
Waiting for me there was every single dog I ever had
They ran around for hours each was as frisky as a pup
And miracle of miracles there was nothing to clean up
Jesus came post Christmas he was exhausted from the praise
He joined Moses on the golf course he'd been there since the high holy days
Jesus could not sink a single put to save his soul
So he ditched his cubs and walked across the water right to the nineteenth hole
Mark Twain and Kurt Vonnegut were busy making each other laugh
Joe Hill and Mother Jones were busy organising the staff
There's billion tales to tell, right now I've gotta go
It's getting late and I've got a date with Marilyn Monroe

It's a hell of a party, it's still going on
Mama don't you weep for me now that I am dead and gone
It's a hell of a party, to celebrate my fall
And the best part of the party is we're never gonna ever, ever ,ever, ever, ever, ever, ever ever, ever, hear the words "Last call"

Notes: Sonny Ochs played this on "Sonny's Playdate" WIOX 28/07/15. I contacted Sonny to enquire the title and artist and received the following reply: "Hi Roger, Glad that you're listening from afar.   The song is "It's a Helluva Party" by Gary Kanter who is an activist on the west coast.   It's on a cd called Forever Vigilant which has lots of political songs on it.
Best,
Sonny".

RP Dec2015

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Feb 16 - 09:02 AM

Sammy Walker: Legends

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: GUEST,Lyrics to No More Songs
Date: 03 Dec 16 - 06:06 PM

I'm trying to resolve the correct lyrics for the last stanza of "No More Songs". If you look online there seem to be two interpretations.One is " he Whithers on the beat, he's dying " the other is "the whale is on the beach, he's dying". If you listen to most recordings it sounds like the whale version may be correct, but whel people burst out laughing afterwards. Which is it?

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: Dug
Date: 03 Dec 16 - 08:02 PM

I've always sung it as 'whale'. That's what Martin Doherty has always sung.

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs/BroadsideBalladeer
From: GUEST,Vic Sadot
Date: 25 Feb 17 - 02:13 AM

Thanks to RogPeek for posting the lyrics to my tribute to Phil Ochs, Broadside Balladeer, which I'm just discovering now. Vic Sadot

Broadside Balladeer

   G          G       C             G
I remember the year that Broadside Balladeer
         G       G          D    D
Took his own life away, so they say…
      G          G       C                G
Now I still long to hear him singing true and clear
G    G         D             G
How I miss that Broadside Balladeer!

Chorus:
       Em          Em
So "I'm Gonna Say It Now"!
         G               G
I can't say it "When I'm Gone"!
       Em                Em
Let us not speak falsely now!
       G             G
For we must be movin' on!
         B7      B7
Is there anybody home?
          G       G
"Is There Anybody Here"?
      A7       A 7       D7   D7
To be true to a Broadside Balladeer!

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: Rog Peek
Date: 24 Jul 17 - 06:53 PM

On the contrary Vic, thank you for the song!

It never ceases to amaze me just how many songs have been written for/about Phil. I have a dozen more which I have collected since I last posted, just haven't had time to post them.

Must make a start!

Rog

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: Rog Peek
Date: 03 Aug 17 - 12:02 PM

SO LONG - FOR PHIL OCHS
(Alexander Mayer)

Goodnight my friend this time you've closed your eyes,
Only wish you couldn't sleep.
And all the times you made me laugh until I cried,
But this time I'm crying for you Phil.

In just one night,
You changed our lives.
And losing you and losing your smile.
If only it wasn't true and you could walk into this room.

So long my friend,
I'd say goodbye but it's not the end.
Another day I'll call you and we'll be laughing again.

So long my friend,
I'd say goodbye but it's not the end.
Another day I'll call you and we'll be laughing again.

I won't ever forget you.
And I won't ever forget you.

Goodnight my friend this time you've closed your eyes.

RPAug2017

Can't remember where I found this one, would be grateful for any info' on song or artist.

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: Rog Peek
Date: 04 Aug 17 - 07:24 PM

THE REFRAIN OF JOHN BUTLER TRAIN
(Kyle Donovan/David Baldo)

Chorus
That day John Butler Train Became a martyr
At the risk of his life and limb,
And Psyche first and foremost
Cursed the drunken John Butler Train

He told how they love the reformer,
A radical ritual of sorts
Then they'll pull them off their pedestal
Hastily hunt 'em for sport
Train reported in song
Tracing the tracks of his time
In restless refrain he complained
Of martyrs and murderous crime

Chorus
The caricature is crude
And always cannibalized
Poor John knew it all too well
He could see through the whites of their eyes
Glitter fell from the sky
While the awe-struck were stuck in cement
Train cried out his refrain
As if it were heaven sent

Chorus
His current began to run counter
As he ran from pole to pole
His turret turned, he heard
The cracks crumblin' below
Swept up in the storm he swam
A reformer that day he became
The name of the man he was former
Was hung by John Butler Train

Chorus
Repeat last two lines

Notes: Written by Kyle and David in 2015, performed and recorded on The Sound Cloud under the name "The Baldo Bin".

RPAug2017

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: Rog Peek
Date: 05 Aug 17 - 05:53 PM

P OCHS (DEATH OF A REBEL)
(Jeremy Bolm)

You were a fan of the rebels Marlon Brando and James Dean kinda man
But it was Seeger and it was Guthrie
That taught you how to take a stand
You up and moved from Ohio
New York was the only place
You moved in with Bobby Dylan
Writing songs at an incredible pace
Now you're getting the hang of it
Singing songs for who needed a voice
Speaking out where it was needed
For anyone without a choice
A song for the draft dodgers
Vietnam was taking names
So you built the tallest soap box
And fought to make a change
You let Dylan get in your head
Called you a coward for not searching within
All you ever wanted was to be the hero
To be the hero that saved us
But when the Kennedys died and we got Nixon
California was calling and your depression set in
It was time to get away, (but you were attacked and lost your voice ?)
Would be the voice this world needed, or at least that's what you thought
You called yourself John Butler Train, said Phil Ochs had died, you'd gone insane
All you ever wanted was to be famous
The hero hung himself and no one saved us.

Notes: Recorded on an EP "Hesitation Wounds", by a hardcore punk group of the same name in 2013. The author Jeremy Bolm was also a member of the group Touche Amore.

RPAug2017

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: GUEST,Felipa
Date: 06 Aug 17 - 03:32 PM

Phil Ochs himself rewrote "Here's to the state of Mississippi" to dishonour Richard NIxon. Now people are telling Donald Trump, "here's to the land you've torn out the heart of"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XqQJ9ty7_8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaZDta5Tg2M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deabBWj69mM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMk5_qHFI0Y

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: Rog Peek
Date: 11 Aug 17 - 06:00 PM

ONE NIGHT LATE
(Jim Clark)

I heard Phil Ochs on internet radio
One night late as I worked from my home
In an outlying province of the old imperial
Lost and forsaken U. S. of A.

And Richard Fariña was harmonizing sweetly
To a song that I knew but had never heard
In the pre-dawn light of the millennial morning
I scratched these words on the back of a bill

Chorus:
Loaves and fishes and horses and wishes
The virgins go begging to the cold-hearted bridegroom
If Jesus was here he'd climb back on the cross
He'd walk straight back in the shadows of the tomb

Now it's thirty springs since the chair and the belt
And forty dark years on a fast motorbike
The country you loved is a dream you took with you
Now it's monkeys and demons and the ghost of John Train

Where men of the cloth preach murder and hate
And leaders are liars who prove war is peace
One nation under a vengeful God
Whose son disappeared on the road to right now
Chorus

A mourning dove sang from a bush by my window
As a squad of Blackhawks roared up from the south
They're practicing up for their appointment in Samarra
Then all was quiet, the bird it had flown
Chorus
Repeat last two lines.

Notes:-Jim said about the song -'One Night Late' is an original song I included as a CD single with my 2007 book NOTIONS- A JIM CLARK MISCELLANY. The book includes an essay, 'Tongue-Tied, with Sore Fingertips, and Little to Show,' about the writing of the song." Song and essay can be found on jimclarkpoet.com.

RPAug2017

Subject: RE: Songs for/about Phil Ochs
From: Felipa
Date: 19 Dec 21 - 06:14 PM

Phil Ochs would be 81 years old today.