Yes, that's a great song (posted by Guest Chris Lock) - but it's not by Phil Ochs, it's Enoch Kent's "The Farm Auction", and it's the more moving when you hear it sung in Enoch's lovely gruff voice. The lyrics above are also in another thread, but they are missing a verse. Here are the complete lyrics given in Enoch's "I'm a Workin' Chap" CD:

The Farm Auction
(tune and words by Enoch Kent)

A rusting tractor on the hill
The fence post with the printed bill
That said the sale was on until
Everything was gone

Chorus:
The auctioneer comes here today
Privacy upon display
The highest bidder takes away
But they can't take it all

The letter came on a Wednesday
The bank said that we'd have to pay
Or else they'd take the farm away
And they said they'd take it all

Chorus

There's bone and silver napkin rings
Elastic bands 'round spoons and things
Tiny fingers held the strings
Of that fiddle in the case

And there's coffee pots we never used
Silver frames a little bruised
Around the portraits that amused us
In the parlour and the hall

Chorus

Like fireglow and favorite songs
And laughter, they're the things among
The memories that still belong
Within those empty rooms

O remember when the lights were low
Pies, balloons and mistletoe
Morning sunlight on the snow
Who will buy a broken sleigh?

Chorus

There's a jar of nails and a box of tacks
The dining chairs with the wicker backs
They're in the garden piled and stacked
And being spotted by the rain

The auctioneer comes here today
Cars line the sidewalk black and grey
Children watch the odd display
While their mothers touch the lots

That are numbered now with coloured tags
Books and clothing sold in bags
Bout for learning, bought for rags
Everything must go

Chorus

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Enoch's notes:
Where I live in Canada, the land near the cities became more valuable and the banks started to call in farm loans and take the land for re-sale. I witnessed this particular sale of a family house, posessions, farm equipment, and the land.