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