Origins: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)

Subject: When I'm gone(Phil Ochs)
From: Norbert
Date: 12 Oct 99 - 01:59 PM

Hi, Does anybody know the lyrics of the song "When I'M gone" from Phil Ochs? We haven't found it in the DigiTrad

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: WHEN I'M GONE (Phil Ochs)
From: DonMeixner
Date: 12 Oct 99 - 02:06 PM

Go to the Links and search Phil Ochs, there is an entire listing of all his works including when I'm Gone with the chords included.

Don

---

When I'm Gone

by Phil Ochs

   Capo 1st fret
  
   Intro:D/Bm/G/Em/A/D/A/Bm/Em/A/D
   
  D                                           Bm
  There's no place in this world where I'll belong when I'm gone
      G                Em             A
  And I won't know the right from the wrong when I'm gone
                    D                     A               Bm
  And you won't find me singin' on this song when I'm gone
     Em                   A               D
  So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
  

---

WHEN I'M GONE
(Phil Ochs)

There's no place in this world where I'll belong when I'm gone
And I won't know the right from the wrong when I'm gone
And you won't find me singin' on this song when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

And I won't feel the flowing of the time when I'm gone
All the pleasures of love will not be mine when I'm gone
My pen won't pour a lyric line when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

And I won't breathe the bracing air when I'm gone
And I can't even worry 'bout my cares when I'm gone
Won't be asked to do my share when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

And I won't be running from the rain when I'm gone
And I can't even suffer from the pain when I'm gone
Can't say who's to praise and who's to blame when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

Won't see the golden of the sun when I'm gone
And the evenings and the mornings will be one when I'm gone
Can't be singing louder than the guns while I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

All my days won't be dances of delight when I'm gone
And the sands will be shifting from my sight when I'm gone
Can't add my name into the fight while I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

And I won't be laughing at the lies when I'm gone
And I can't question how or when or why when I'm gone
Can't live proud enough to die when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

Notes:

Bruce A. Denis tells me the chords should actually be D/Bm/G/Em/A/D/A/Bm/Em/A/D. Craig Jones tells me: "the real chords I took off the album are in the key of Eb, so put a capo on the first fret and play the chords Bruce has and you've got what Phil wrote."
It looks like the latest correction supplied by James Barnett backs up both of these updates, so that is what is shown in the lyrics.
Last modified 17 Jan 99 by trent

Source: http://web.cecs.pdx.edu/~trent/ochs/lyrics/when-im-gone.html

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I'm gone(Phil Ochs)
From: Norbert
Date: 12 Oct 99 - 02:55 PM

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I'm gone(Phil Ochs)
From: Norbert
Date: 12 Oct 99 - 03:00 PM

Thank you Don or Danke like we say in Germany

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I'm gone(Phil Ochs)
From:
Date: 12 Oct 99 - 03:16 PM

you are welcome as we say In Jordan, NY

Subject: Tune Add: WHEN I'M GONE (Phil Ochs)
From: OldPossum
Date: 22 May 03 - 06:49 AM

X:69
T:When I'm Gone
B:The Complete Phil Ochs: Chords of Fame
C:Phil Ochs
N:filename[ WHNIGONE
M:C
L:1/4
K:E
G G || G2 G G | G>G G F | (E<C) C/ C C/-|
w: There's no|place in this|world where I'll be|long,_ when I'm gone.|
C2 z1 A | A A A>G | (F G) F E/F/-|F2 B,/ B, B,/-|B,2 z1 F |
w: _And|I won't know the|right_ from the wrong,|_when I'm gone.|_And|
G F E E | B B B c | c2 G/ G G/-|
w: you won't find me|sing-in' on this|song, when I'm gone.|
G2 z/ F/ G | A G F E | D/4 D/4-D3/2 C<D | E4-|E2 |]
w: _So I|guess I'll have to|do it_ while I'm|here.|_|

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 12 Apr 10 - 08:37 PM

The lyrics as given by Don Meixner upthread on 12 Oct 99 are the lyrics as Ochs recorded them on the In Concert album. Curiously, they differ in a couple of places from the lyrics as given in the Phil Ochs songbook, in Broadside in 1975, in Rise Up Singing, and other sources.

In the 3rd verse, 1st line, Ochs sings "bracing," but the sources listed above have "brandy."

In the 4th verse, 3rd line, Ochs sings "Can't say who's to praise and who's to blame when I'm gone," but the other sources have "And there's nothing I can lose or I can gain when I'm gone." The DT has "Can't say who's afraid and who's to blame when I'm gone," but I think that's just a mistake.

Any insight on why the differences between the recorded version and the songbook/Broadside/RUS version? I can make some guesses (between the singing and the writing down, Ochs made what he considered an improvement in the lyrics; Ochs forgot the lyrics and got them wrong in one version; someone else writing the lyrics down from memory got them worng) but if anyone actually knows what happened.... I'd also appreciate opinions on which lyrics sound better.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 08:33 PM

As I recall, Phil Ochs wrote only the tune; the late Bob Blue wrote the words.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 13 Apr 10 - 08:43 PM

Blue wrote While I'm Here, an answer to When I'm Gone, according to http://www.bobblue.org/pages/Articles.html

I've never seen Blue credited with the lyrics to When I'm Gone.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 14 Apr 10 - 01:32 PM

Oops. I stand corrected.

Subject: Origins: Phil Ochs: While I'm Here
From: saulgoldie
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 02:04 PM

I played this once at a retirement home, and a woman piped right up that she thought the singer was going to kill himself. Was he telegraphing his eventual suicide?

Saul

Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN I'M GONE (Phil Ochs)
From: saulgoldie
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 02:18 PM

I guess having the words might help...


I'll Have to Do it While I'm Here WHEN I'M GONE
by Phil Ochs
    G                                                        Em
There's no place in this world where I'll belong when I'm gone,
   C                        Am                         D        
And I won't know the right from the wrong when I'm gone,
G         Em                 Bm                    Em(high)
And you won't find me singin' on this song when I'm gone,
C                 D                    G
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here.

And I won't feel the flowin' of the time when I'm gone,
All the pleasures of love will not be mine when I'm gone,
My pen won't pour a lyric line when I'm gone,
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here.

And I won't breathe the bracin' air when I'm gone,
And I can't even worry 'bout my cares when I'm gone,
Won't be asked to do my share when I'm gone,
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here.

And I won't be runnin' from the rain when I'm gone,
And I can't even suffer from the pain when I'm gone,
Can't say who's to praise and who's to blame when I'm gone,
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here.

Won't see the golden of the sun when I'm gone,
And the evenin's and the mornin's will be one when I'm gone,
Can't be singin' louder than the guns while I'm gone,
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here.

All my days won't be dances of delight when I'm gone,
And the sands will be shiftin' from my sight when I'm gone,
Can't add my name into the fight while I'm gone,
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here.

And I won't be laughin' at the lies when I'm gone,
And I can't question how or when or why when I'm gone,
Can't live proud enough to die when I'm gone,
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here.

repeat first verse, with finish

Subject: RE: Origins: Phil Ochs: While I'm Here
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 02:33 PM

Saul, are you referring to the song, 'When I'm Gone' which contains the line, "So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here."?

That song was written in the mid-sixties, Ochs died a decade later in 1976. As he apparently did have depression problems, perhaps the song presages an early death or even a suicide.

John

Subject: RE: Origins: Phil Ochs: While I'm Here
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 06:24 PM

On the other hand, check out the lyrics of That's The Way It's Gonna Be and see if you think those are the words of someone destined to suicide.

Subject: RE: Origins: Phil Ochs: While I'm Here
From: GUEST,Doug Saum
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 02:43 PM

I've noticed that people who die young sometimes do have a sense of personal mortality (which Ochs writes about here), but he is using this song to encourage action; make hay while the sun shines for one day we all die. If you want the clearer warnings of suicide go to the post-Chicago "No More Songs," and "Rehearsals for Retirement."

Subject: RE: Origins: Phil Ochs: While I'm Here
From: pdq
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 03:06 PM

Isn't the correct title of this song "When I'm Gone"?

Subject: RE: Origins: Phil Ochs: While I'm Here
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 07:23 PM

Yes, "When I'm Gone." That's what it says on the vinyl.

Subject: RE: Origins: Phil Ochs: While I'm Here/When I'm Gone
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 11:57 PM

Ahem...see third post.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: Felipa
Date: 26 Sep 14 - 05:21 AM

listen to recording via YouTube: https://plus.google.com/117171340496440935149/posts

Subject: RE: Origins: Phil Ochs: While I'm Here/When I'm Gone
From: Felipa
Date: 26 Sep 14 - 05:27 AM

Looking for lyrics of Bob Blue's "while I'm here" - it was mentioned on another thread as being a version of when I'm gone

is on this tribute album : http://www.bobblue.org/purchase-bobs-music/the-best-of-bob-blue/#

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Add To TracWhen I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: Felipa
Date: 26 Sep 14 - 05:30 AM

that page for Bob Blue is gone now, only mention of When I'm Here is a list of songs on a CD http://www.bobblue.org/purchase-bobs-music/the-best-of-bob-blue/#


---
clickable link for recording of Phil Ochs: https://plus.google.com/117171340496440935149/posts

Subject: RE: Origins: Phil Ochs: While I'm Here/When I'm Gone
From: Mrrzy
Date: 26 Sep 14 - 10:03 AM

Love this song. When I discovered that Ochs had killed himself I immediately thought of this one, and how right he was that he had to do all that stuff while he was here. I didn't take it as an I'll be gone soon song, more as a better stick around as long as I can so I can keep singing louder than the guns, one of my favorite lines.

But that woman was right.

Subject: RE: Origins: Phil Ochs: While I'm Here/When I'm Gone
From: Felipa
Date: 26 Sep 14 - 06:21 PM

which woman, Mezzy?

so, can anyone come up with the Bob Blue lyrics? I've never heard them and can't find anything online besides a chance to buy a CD of people singing Bob Blue songs including "While I'm Here"

Subject: RE: Origins: Phil Ochs: While I'm Here/When I'm Gone
From: Felipa
Date: 26 Sep 14 - 06:22 PM

sorry Mrzzy - you were referring to the first message in the thread, I see now

Subject: RE: Origins: Phil Ochs: While I'm Here/When I'm Gone
From: Greg F.
Date: 26 Sep 14 - 06:41 PM

Phil actually thought that his songs - and more importantly the information they contained- would eventuallyy convince the populace that the many wrongs in U.S. society that he identified should and could be rectified.

His suicide came about when he was finally forced to admit that wasn't the case.

The notion that a radical is one who hates his country is naïve and usually idiotic. He is, more likely, one who likes his country more than the rest of us, and is thus more disturbed than the rest of us when he sees it debauched. He is not a bad citizen turning to crime; he is a good citizen driven to despair."

                                        ― H.L. Mencken

Phil, we hardly knew ye. Rest easy.

Subject: DT Correction: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Jun 19 - 12:47 AM

Felipa send me a personal message pointing out some problems with the DT lyrics:

And I won't breath the brandy air when I'm gone BRANDY SHOULD BE BRACING
I can't even worry 'bout my cares when I'm gone
Won't be asked to do my share when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
I won't be running from the rain when I'm gone
I can't even suffer from the pain when I'm gone
Can't say who's afraid and who's to blame when I'm gone SHOULD BE "WHO'S TO PRAISE AND WHO'S TO BLAME"
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

Here's a recording of the song from the There But for Fortune [Elektra] compilation album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXVBPRlm-qw

WHEN I'M GONE (DT Lyrics) (Phil Ochs) (CDE-) CGCAm/FG/CAm/FGC There's no place in this world where I'll belong when I'm gone And I won't know the right from the wrong when I'm gone You won't find me singing on this song when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here I wont feel the flowing of the time when I'm gone All the pleasures of love will not be mine when I'm gone My pen won't pour a lyric line when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here And I won't breath the brandy air when I'm gone I can't even worry 'bout my cares when I'm gone Won't be asked to do my share when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here I won't be running from the rain when I'm gone I can't even suffer from the pain when I'm gone Can't say who's afraid and who's to blame when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here BREAK I won't see the golden of the sun when I'm gone All the evenings and the mornings will be one when I'm gone Cant be singing louder than the guns when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here All my days wont be dances of delight when I'm gone And the sands will be shifting from my sight when I'm gone Cant add my name into the fight when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here I wont be laughing at the lies when I'm gone And I cant question how or when or why when I'm gone I can't live proud enough to die when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here There's no place in this world where I'll belong when I'm gone And I won't know the right from the wrong when I'm gone You won't find me singing on this song when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here ----------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright Appleseed Music, Inc. Performed at the July 1986 Augusta festival by Magpie and recorded on Magpie at Augusta 1986, Music from Augusta, SCS-606 filename[ WHNIGONE DC

WHEN I'M GONE (my corrections) (Phil Ochs) (CDE-) CGCAm/FG/CAm/FGC There's no place in this world where I'll belong when I'm gone And I won't know the right from the wrong when I'm gone And you won't find me singing on this song when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here And I won't feel the flowing of the time when I'm gone All the pleasures of love will not be mine when I'm gone My pen won't pour a lyric line when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here And I won't breathe the bracin' air when I'm gone And I can't even worry 'bout my cares when I'm gone Won't be asked to do my share when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here And I won't be running from the rain when I'm gone And I can't even suffer from the pain when I'm gone Can't say who's to praise and who's to blame when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here BREAK Won't see the golden of the sun when I'm gone And the evenings and the mornings will be one when I'm gone Can't be singing louder than the guns while I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here All my days won't be dances of delight when I'm gone And the sands will be shifting from my sight when I'm gone Can't add my name into the fight while I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here And I won't be laughing at the lies when I'm gone And I can't question how or when or why when I'm gone Can't live proud enough to die when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here There's no place in this world where I'll belong when I'm gone And I won't know the right from the wrong when I'm gone And you won't find me singing on this song when I'm gone So I guess I'll have to do it, I guess I'll have to do it it, guess I'll have to do it while I'm here ----------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright Appleseed Music, Inc. Performed at the July 1986 Augusta festival by Magpie and recorded on Magpie at Augusta 1986, Music from Augusta, SCS-606 filename[ WHNIGONE DC

I transcribed what I heard on the recording - it was a live performance. Ochs sang "while I'm gone" in a few places instead of "when." I noted that, but I prefer "when" in all circumstances.

this video is a rather sloppy performance by Ochs with Arlo Guthrie. Ochs does sing "brandy air" in this one, and sings "there's nothing I can lose or I can gain" instead of praise/blame.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 20 Jun 19 - 09:47 AM

Joe, I noted some of those differences in my post of 12 Apr 10 - 08:37 PM, way upthread.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 20 Jun 19 - 10:15 AM

The version I had was praise/blame.

What a sad, sad song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: Felipa
Date: 20 Jun 19 - 01:17 PM

Mzzry, you are correct. I sent Joe Offer a message just yesterday re correcting that line and one other (breath the BRACING air, not brandy air) in the DT; haven't checked to see whether it has been done.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Jun 19 - 01:28 PM

I posted the full lyrics in a way that is exactly formatted for the Digital Tradition....but we haven't negotiated out a way to update the Digital Tradition, now that Dick is gone. For now, the DT is the way Dick left it - and it hasn't been updated for a number of years. If you want the most accurate versions of lyrics, go to the threads and look for full versions that have lyrics that have source information to document where they came from. For the most part, in-depth song studies appear in "origins" threads.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: Felipa
Date: 20 Jun 19 - 01:29 PM

I replied to Mzzry before I saw Joe's recent post. There is more than one recording on youtube of Phil Ochs singing When I'm Gone and you can hear that he does sing bracing and praise in the relevant lines in other recordings than the one Joe mentions. And those words make more sense. I suppose most of us don't sing Exactly the same words every time we sing a song. And some of us may make intentional changes: I sing "you won't hear me singing this song" instead of Ochs' "singing on this song" as the latter seems strange to me. And on some lines I sing "that's why I have to do it while I'm here" instead of "I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here." The main reason I do that is that I live in Ireland, and this way of using the word "guess" isn't a usual way of speaking here. Maybe "suppose I'll have to do it," would be clearer to listeners here. There is a different mood in the phrases using "guess" or "that's why"; the latter sounds more determined and the former betrays some reluctance. I can identify with the reluctance; sometimes we don't really feel like doing something but at the same time have a feeling that we really should do it.

Subject: ADD Version: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)-Broadside
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Jun 19 - 04:11 PM

Felipa says there is more than one recording on YouTube of Phil Ochs singing "When I'm Gone." Well, yes, there is more than one YouTube video of Ochs singing the song, but almost all of the videos are the same four-minute-and-twenty-second live recording that appears on the There But for Fortune compilation. There are other Elektra CDs that have the song, but they all seem to be that very same concert recording. I can't find a date for the recording. There's another Elektra record called Phil Ochs in Concert, and it has that same 4:20 recording. The only other recording I can find, is the sloppy but interesting performance of the song by Phil Ochs and Arlo Guthrie. I really think there should be other recordings of Ochs singing this song, and I hope Mudcatters can find and post them.

Gerry says that he noted some of the differences in 2010. That's true, and Gerry's post was very helpful. But once we've gotten to a certain point in a discussion, it's good to post full versions of a song, identifying the sources and the differences between versions. I think we're at that conclusive stage right now. Please note that there is no one "correct" version of any song. Phil Ochs changed the song as time went on, and he had a right to do that. If we are to do accurate research of songs, we need to transcribe songs as they are performed in various performances, noting the differences and not necessarily insisting on a "correct" version.

You will find the song in Issue 128 of Broadside Magazine, January-June 1975:


WHEN I'M GONE (Broadside Magazine #128 - differences from DT in bold)
(Phil Ochs)

There's no place in the world where I'll belong when I'm gone —
And I won't know the right from the wrong when I'm gone —
And you won't find me singing on this song when I'm gone, —
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here!

And I won't feel the flowing of the time when I'm gone
All the pleasures of love will not be mine when I'm gone
My pen won't pour a lyric line when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

And I won't breathe the brandy air when I'm gone
And I can't even worry 'bout my cares when I'm gone
Won't be asked to do my share when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

And I won't be running from the rain when I'm gone
And I can't even suffer from the pain when I'm gone
And there's nothing I can loose (sic) or I can gain when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

Won't see the golden of the sun when I'm gone
And the evenings and the mornings will be one when I'm gone
Can't be singing louder than the guns when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

All my days won't be dances of delight when I'm gone
And the sands will be shifting from my sight when I'm gone
Can't add my name into the fight when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

And I won't be laughing at the lies when I'm gone
And I can't question how or when or why when I'm gone
Can't live proud enough to die when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright 1965 by Barricade Music, Inc.

Subject: RE: Origins: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 20 Jun 19 - 05:45 PM

Dick Gaughan sang a lovely version on his album Call it Freedom in the late 90s. I asked him to sing it at a gig at the Tree Inn many moons ago, and he did! How did I miss this thread?

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmG8B2rGs80

Subject: RE: Origins: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 20 Jun 19 - 07:13 PM

Joe, concerning date of recording, the Elektra vinyl says "This album was recorded at concerts given by Phil Ochs in Boston and New York in the winter of 1965-66. The concerts were presented by Arthur Gorson." On the label, it says "Recording first published March 1966."

Subject: ADD Version: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 20 Jun 19 - 08:41 PM

The song appeared in Volume 25 #1 of Sing Out! Magazine (May/June 1976), along with an obituary for Phil Ochs. [Phil Ochs took his own life April 9, 1976]

WHEN I'M GONE (from Sing Out! Vol 25 #1)
(Phil Ochs)

There's no place in this world where I'll belong, when I'm gone
And I won't know the right from the wrong, when I'm gone
And you won't find me singin' on this song, when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

And I won't feel the flowing of the time, when I'm gone
All the pleasures of love will not be mine, when I'm gone
My pen won't pour a lyric line, when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

And I won't breathe the brandy air, when I'm gone
And I can't even worry 'bout my cares, when I'm gone
Won't be asked to do my share, when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

And I won't be running from the rain, when I'm gone
And I can't even suffer from the pain, when I'm gone
There's nothing I can lose or I can gain, when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

Won't see the golden of the sun, when I'm gone
And the evenings and the mornings will be one, when I'm gone
Can't be singing louder than the guns, when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

All my days won't be dances of delight, when I'm gone
And the sands will be shifting from my sight, when I'm gone
Can't add my name into the fight when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

And I won't be laughing at the lies, when I'm gone
And I can't question how or when or why, when I'm gone
Can't live proud enough to die, when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

There's no place in this world where I'll belong, when I'm gone
And I won't know the right from the wrong, when I'm gone
And you won't find me singin' on this song, when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it, I guess I'll have to do it it, guess I'll have to do it while I'm here


©1966, 1968, by Barricade Music

This version is also in the Rise Up Singing Songbook, published by Sing Out!. This is the version in the live performance I found by Phil Ochs and Arlo Guthrie.

Lyrics that differ from the Digital Tradition are in bold.

Subject: RE: Origins: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 21 Jun 19 - 12:36 AM

I only have ever heard this by Phil on the In Concert album. I am sure there are other recordings of him doing it as has been stated by others. The very best performance I have heard of When I'm Gone was done by Kim and Reggie Harris at Old Songs a few years ago. For the basic guitarist this is one of Phil's more accessible collection of chords. To my mind he could be quirky and his melodies were not always easy to sus out. But this song is one of the perfect ones.

Don Meixner

Subject: RE: Origins: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Jun 19 - 03:42 AM

Hi, Don - Another favorite of mine is "Changes." These two are Ochs at his most poetic.

Subject: RE: Origins: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: GUEST,Felipa
Date: 21 Jun 19 - 11:37 AM

no, the youtube videos of Phil singing this song aren't all from an album; I think I saw two different videos of live performances rather than lp soundtracks.

Subject: RE: Origins: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 21 Jun 19 - 12:35 PM

Hi Joe,

I agree. I would hate to have to prove it but I think Changes and When I'm Gone come about at nearly the same time. There are similarities to the songs both in emotion and structure. You can hear the journalism student in many of his early songs but at the same time songs like When I'm Gone, Changes, and Celia had a side to his writing that wasn't often heard. Celia is a beautiful love story and at the same time it is very political. It took a deft hand to write that song. I would have expected at the time for that to have been a Tom Paxton song had I not bought the album and read the credits.

I often wonder where is Phil now that we really need him. I also wonder if at my age now would I recognize an important voice like Phil's if I heard it today.

Don Meixner

Subject: RE: Origins: When I'm Gone (Phil Ochs)
From: Mrrzy
Date: 21 Jun 19 - 01:14 PM

I sing exactly the same words every time O sing a song, as those are the words I know...