I just discovered Phil Och's music

Subject: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: GUEST,Scott W.
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 10:50 PM

I just discovered the music of Phil Ochs while looking through vinyl at a local record shop. I'd heard a bit about him over the years while growing up (I'm 27), and now find his singing, message, songwriting and guitar playing (his guitar playing is full of color, shades and variety) quite good. Did Phil have a lot of radio airplay and popularity during his heyday? Was he almost in the same leauge as Bob Dylan (mass media coverage, etc.) in the 60's? Did anyone ever meet him and/or see him perform live?

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 11:09 PM

In answer top your questions, yes, no and yes. :-) (I had a friend who used to do that.)

Phil had, and still has a very loyal following and wrote a body of songs that still live on. I heard him play in the early 60's in Greenwich Village on the coffee house scene and I didn't think that he was as mesmerizing a performer as Dylan. As for airplay, in the beginning Dylan profited immensely by having others like Peter, Paul and Mary and the Byrds have hit recordings of his songs. In honesty, I don't ever remember hearing a Phil Ochs song on commerical radio. I'm sure college stations played his recordings a lot, and he was an important part of the anti-war movement, although certainly nowhere near as influential as Dylan. Dylan pretty much over-shadowed everyone, and even moreso when he shocked the folk community and went electric. I think it was hard for other songwriters to be compared to Dylan.. Just as a personal opinion, I'd put Ochs at a similar level of recognition with Tom Paxton, Eric Andersen and a handful of other writers in the 60's.

Others probably have more extensive experience with his music. I never knew him as a person.

Jerry

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Azizi
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 11:26 PM

I never met Phil Ochs or saw him perform in person, but-somehow when I was a young adult-I got a hold of a record of his. This and a record by the Black female singer Odetta were my first introductions to what I think of as folk music.

I still remember two songs on that Phi Ochs album-"Knock on the door" {one line I remember "Knock on the door, here they come for just one more, one more"}-about how those in power target & arrest [or kill] individuals from groups who oppose them}and "Celia"
{one line from that song "oh when will Celia come to me"}-about the government not allowing lovers to be together because of the political activism of one of them.

I have no idea the name of that album, but if I could locate a CD of that album, I would buy it in a heart beat.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: open mike
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 11:52 PM

I am glad you discovered him--here is more info'
http://www.cs.pdx.edu/~trent/ochs/
http://www.furious.com/perfect/philochs.html
http://www.sonnyochs.com/philbio.html
Here is Hugh Blumenfeld's page about Phil
http://www.balladtree.com/folk101/bio_philochs.htm
here is a great interview
http://goodfelloweb.com/werbe/oats.htm
some great quotes from Phil:
www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/ochs-quotes.html
including this one:
Before the days of television and mass media, the folksinger was
often a traveling newspaper spreading tales through music. There is
an urgent need for Americans to look deeply into themselves and their
actions, and musical poetry is perhaps the most effective mirror
available. Every newspaper headline is a potential song.

His life was a lesson...let us continue to sing
so as to learn from him and keep his spirit alive!!

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 12:01 AM

Azizi, those two songs are either from Ochs' first album (All The News That's Fit To Sing) or his second (I Ain't Marchin' Any More). I think the first.

I'll mostly second what Jerry Rasmussen had to say. Joan Baez had something of a commercial success with There But For Fortune, but I think that was about it for Top 40 sightings of Ochs material.

Once upon a time, outfits that owned both an AM and an FM station in the same city would play the same programs on both. Then around 1965 some legislation came in forbidding that, and a whole lot of outfits had to come up with some new programs, quick. In the chaos, one of the New York stations, I think it was WOR-FM, hired some DJs who were not afraid to play some fairly uncommercial music, and I heard quite a bit of Ochs on the radio for the brief period that window was open.

I read in a biography of Ochs that his popularity was concentrated on the East Coast, that he never had the national recognition that Dylan and a few others had. I'd agree with Jerry that Ochs was up there with Tom Paxton & not at the Dylan level, but I was on the East Coast, maybe others wouldn't rate Ochs as high.

I saw him perform a few times in 1967 and later (I think I'm a few years younger than Jerry Rasmussen). I enjoyed his shows. He could be funny, and poetic, and biting. He could also be less than 100% there, and forget the words to his own songs (but enough of us in the audience knew the words by heart to help him through the rough parts).

My older sister was a big fan of the Chad Mitchell Trio, and they recorded several Ochs songs. She bought me I Ain't Marchin' Any More as a birthday present once. It was one of the first records I owned - that and Rubber Soul. I have the first 6 albums. Back then, I thought Tape From California (the 5th album) was the best of the lot, but now I prefer the first three (the two mentioned earlier, and In Concert).

I'm rambling.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 12:14 AM

A great songwriter to have discovered. Enjoy and learn.

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: DonMeixner
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 12:49 AM

Scott you are a lucky man. And so is the memory of Phil Ochs. He continues to be rediscovered.

I have often said that had he been able to keep his life together for just a few more years he might have rediscovered his Muse.

I wish he were alive today.

Don

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Jeremiah McCaw
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 01:35 AM

"Changes", recorded by Crispian St. Peters had a brief surge of Top 40 exposure ('68ish?)

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Paul Burke
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 03:25 AM

I only heard one of his songs, on a sampler back in history. "Hills of West Virginia" I think, really liked it but didn't follow it up because we Brits were agin American influence back then. Sort of lazy, nothing much happens song, IIRC, but attractively sung.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 04:05 AM

Definitely off the "All the News that's Fit to Sing" album, which I still have, and treasure. Phil Ochs was a fine singer/songwriter, and perhaps too 'conscience pricking' to be popular in a mainstream way. I was very sad to hear of his death, I never could understand people choosing to end their lives like that.
Giok

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 04:09 AM

I loved Phil Ochs. I saw him in Manchester, England in 1965. Back then, his songs were regularly sung in English folkclubs. His musical setting of the poem "The Highwayman" was also a club favourite. They called Dylan a protest singer - but Phil was THE protest singer! Marvellous stuff!

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: breezy
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 04:44 AM

If you enjoy Phil O then move on up fast and try Chris Flegg's 'Child of Africa' . Hot off the paper,written this month


it can be heard on his website

btw Are you Stateside?

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 05:58 AM

I remember when he died.

he was still relatively young, and it was terribly sad.

he'd made this album where he was wearing a gold suit on the cover, like Elvis, and to be honest - at the time you felt the whole world of folk music was going to hell. All the inclusiveness that had been carefully constructed in the 1960's was just being thrown away.

As Paul says the English folk clubs were being methodically emptied as people who had totally misunderstood Ewan MacColl and Martin Carthy strained after some weird form of traditional purity. Ewan and Martin were artists at the top of their game, and I don't think it was ever the intention of either of them to interfere with other artists. Somehow in emulating them, their followers felt they had to be nasty to everybody else.

Ochs should have felt at home and amongst friends, but in fact a lot of artist with a contemporary/ Americana based approach were shut out. they started casting round for other directions, and lots of young artists and songwriters never even considered the folk clubs as a platform any more for their talents.

anyway that's how I remember it - I could be wrong. the cover of the All the news album was SO cutting edge in the 60's. It was a bloody pity how things went.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: BuckMulligan
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 06:08 AM

His best was marvelous, the rest was mediocre at worst. As happened so often during the Great Scare, the best renderings of his stuff was by other people, since back then it was not a badge of shame to do someone else's stuff, as it seems to be now among singer/songwriters. Baez, CMT, lots of others even unto Glen Yarbrough, (whose rendering of "Crucifixion" will nail you to your seat with your jaw on the floor) produced glorious work with Ochs's music. I only saw him perform live once (MIT, 1968) and it left a great deal to be desired as a performance.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Azizi
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 06:56 AM

Now that you mention it, I remember that title-"All The News That's Fit To Print".

Another great song from that album came to me last night-"What's that I hear now ringing in my ear" {it's the sound of a new age a-???-you can hear it if you try}.

It's so sad to hear about Phil Och's untimely death.

It's sad because of the music that could have been, and it's even more sad because of the life apart from the music that he could have had if he had somehow found the strength to wait out the bad times....

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 07:53 AM

Phil was of his time, and so some of his songs don't resonate today -- in his early work he aspired to be a musical daily newspaper of the fight for REAL (not Bush-erstatz) freedom and democracy, and like a newspaper, some of them were very much for the day.

But a good many of his other songs resonate tremendously now, as we make all the mistakes we made then, America having forgotten the wisdom it learned the hard way -- in part through what he showed us -- in the 1970s.

He knew what he was talking about. He'd been to military school, and knew what true defense of your country means, and what it doesn't mean.

To my mind, the big point is how fresh and true many of his topical songs are for us today, as we struggle through Vietnam All Over Again. A hell of a writer, and if he was not a subtle singer, the times he sang for were pretty crude too, the lines drawn, as they are now, in stark relief.

After his political period Phil reinvented himself, mostly without commercial success. I will never forget his "Pleasures of the Harbor," and there are the songs of his gold lame period too. He's like many another singer who battered against the doors of pop and lost -- a tragic figure, who should, as someone said above, have been welcomed with open arms and should still be singing new songs about Iraq for us today.

Phil's much underrated, unfairly forgotten -- and he has a lot to say to us right here, right now, in the waning days of 2005, as our attempts at empire fall apart.

May he long be heard and enjoyed.

Bob

Subject: Lyr Add: THRESHER (Phil Ochs)
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 08:48 AM

The Thresher Lyrics

      Bm                F#       Bm
In Portsmouth town on the eastern shore
      Em          A       F
Where many a fine ship was born.
    Bm          G
The Thresher was built
         F#          Bm
And the Thresher was launched
         Em          A          F#
And the crew of the Thresher was sworn.
          Bm          G
She was shaped like a tear
          F#          Bm
She was built like a shark
         Em          A       F#
She was made to run fast and free.
          Bm                   G
And the builders shook their hands
         F#                   Bm
And the builders shared their wine,
       Em                  A          F#
And thought that they had mastered the sea.


      Bm                F#
Yes, she'll always run silent
    Em                F#
And she'll always run deep
            Em          Bm
Though the ocean has no pity
          A                F#
Though the waves will never weep
               Bm
They'll never weep.



And they marvelled at her speed

marvelled at her depth

marvelled at her deadly design.

And they sailed to every land

And they sailed to every port

Just to see what faults they could find.

Then they put her on the land

For nine months to stand

And they worked on her from stem to stern.

But they could never see

It was their coffin to be

For the sea was waiting for their return.



Yes, she'll always run silent

And she'll always run deep

Though the ocean has no pity

And the waves will never weep

They'll never weep.



On a cold Wednesday morn

They put her her out to sea

When the waves they were nine feet high.

And they dove beneath the waves

And they dove to their graves

And they never said a last goodbye.

And its deeper and deeper

And deeper they dove

Just to see what their ship could stand.

But the hull gave a moan

And the hull gave a groan

And they plunged to the deepest darkest sand.



Now she lies in the depths

Of the darkened ocean floor

Covered by the waters cold and still.

Oh can't you see the wrong

She was a death ship all along

Died before she had a chance to kill.



[Final Chorus Same but in past tense].



[Alternate final verse from an early Broadside tape]



And it's 8000 fathoms of the water above

And over 100 men below

And sealed in their tomb

Is the cause of their doom

That only the sea will ever know



Phil Ochs

Only the time elapsed since the disaster make this song irrelevant to today's youngsters. It's history like many other folk songs and should not be forgotten.
Giok

Record details

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Paul Burke
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 09:52 AM

What did he die of? It wasn't phylloxera, was it?

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 10:04 AM

My understanding is that Phil committed suicide. He was quite depressed that he never broke into the pop music scene. He was also troubled with alcohol abuse. With less ambition, perhaps he would be here today. I agree that many of his songs continue to resonate today although they were written about contemporary events. A Phil Ochs favorite of mine is "Too Many Martyrs" about the murder of Medgar Evers. I get it out and dust it off whenever I'm depressed about the loss of someone committed to their ideals.

In my experience there are many who love Phil's work. They tend to be very ardent. May he rest in peace.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Peace
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 10:26 AM

'"All The News That's Fit To Print".'

I think it was Phil who paraphrased the 'motto' of the New York Times as "All the News That Fits, We Print."

Phil hanged himself. I knew him as well as you get to know someone by working gigs/concerts with them. Did that during the McCarthy Campaign. He was a character. Very intense, very committed to the United States and very depressed over the direction he saw the country taking. Phil's sister, Sonny, is a lovely gal. I haven't spoken with her in decades, but she knows he was misunderstood. My mother called me to tell me the news and circumstance of his death. I was saddened but not really surprised.

He was a dynamic stage performer and great writer. His wit and ability to compose topical songs--man, few have ever beat him at that. Of course he wrote more than that, but I think he will be remembered for hard-hitting songs like "Small Circle of Friends" and "Draft Dodger Rag". Here's to you, Phil. Hope you found the peace that escaped you on Earth.

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: WHEN I'M GONE (Phil Ochs)
From: s6k
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 10:54 AM

"When I'm Gone" is one of my favourite songs. Check it out...


Capo 2

             C                               Am
There's no place in this world where I'll belong when I'm gone
   Dm                                 G
And I won't know the right from the wrong when I'm gone
    C                               Am
And you won't find me singin' on this song when I'm gone
      Dm                G                C
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 out 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

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 11:09 AM

Phil Ochs committed suicide in 1976, hanging himself in his sister's home. The last few years of his life saw increasing mental illness coupled with problems with alchol. His sister Sonny has noted that during his last few years he went from extreme highs to extreme lows. The events seemed to skyrocket after he was mugged in South Africa and his vocal chords were damaged in the attack. He lost notes at the top of his register and did not sing as much after that.

Today he would have been diagnosed as bipolar, and his manic depression could probably have been treated with drugs that were not available at the time.

Sonny is keeping his name alive and producing wonderful Phil Ochs Song Nights. It is a traveling show that features a number of musicians like Magpie, John Flynn, Pat Humphries and many others.   I URGE you to check out these shows if they play near you.

Sonny is an amazing woman who I admire deeply and feel honored to be able to call a friend. She is a tireless volunteer and organizer and can be found at many folk festivals and events. She has done an amazing job of not only keeping Phil's music alive, but also promoting up and coming singer-songwriters. She also hosts a great radio show. You can find out more by going to Sonny's website - www.sonnyochs.com.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Steve Benbows protege
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 12:31 PM

Probably my favourite American folk singer. "I kill therfore I am" is as relevant now as it was then! Some absolutely beautifully written songs. Personally I prefer Ochs, Baez, Paxton,D.Van Ronk to Dylan. hey that's just my honest opinion.

There is a quote as mentioned before in the sleeve notes of one of his first two c.d's where he says that he wrote most of the early stuff straight out of the paper. Wow - that is hard and to keep it relevant over a number of years of performing.

A real rare talent.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: alanabit
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 03:12 PM

I was born about a decade too late to have really enjoyed him when he was doing his best work. I had an excellent compilation of his, a double album, released some time after his death,in the seventies. He had a fair bit of range as a writer, from biting, ironic protest songs, to long, complex, symbolic songs like, "The Crucifixion, through to very funny character sketches like,"Draft Dodger Rag" and "Love Me I'm A Liberal". He was a fine writer, who helped to open up my ears to other people around. Thanks for posting Scott. I'll be keeping my eyes open for a Phil Ochs CD.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: danensis
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 03:39 PM

If you liked Phil Ochs, you might also like to try Harry Chapin. I believe he even recorded a tribute to Phil?

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: breezy
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 05:14 PM

I was surprised no one mentioned 'There but for Fortune'

Many of his songs are in the DT

I transcribed some into my first ever song book in 1965 and i have him on vynil, so glad I no longer have to lift and replace that needle.

And so here we are today with new writers of quality moving us onwards

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 06:57 PM

A couple of notes on the Thresher --

Tom's a native of this part of New Hampshire -- I didn't move here until 1981 -- but we both remember when the Thresher went down.

Tom has noted that even back in the '60s and '70s, no one sang the song around here. And I've never heard it sung by anyone around here in the 25 years I've been part of this folk community. Too many people knew or were family to the men who went down with her.

The USS Thresher was lost in April 10, 1963 while conducting post overhaul deep diving exercises about 220 miles east of Boston, MA. When she went down she carried 6 officers and 96 enlisted men -- and 17 civilian technicians -- these "civilian technicians" all worked at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. And most of the families still live in the New Hampshire-Maine Seacoast area.

Quotes from some of the family members and memories of the last words spoken from the Thresher can be found at Thresher Info Here

I sing mostly trad, but used to sing a few Phil Ochs' songs -- particularly "Changes" which seemed to be the perfect accompaniment to my early life. We've also been known to break into a few verses of "Draft Dodger Rag" or "The Power and the Glory" or "Outside a Small Circle of Friends". Too many good songs -- and I love his arrangements of "The Bells" and "They Highwayman".

Linn (going off to find her tapes of the LPs)

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 07:02 PM

I first heard his music on a Ferron tape. She'd recorded "No more songs" which became a fav. of mine. I sang it a few times in HearMe and PalTalk. Still one of my favs.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: GUEST,Janine
Date: 30 Nov 05 - 04:33 AM

I don't remember Phil Ochs, Dylan etc the first time round: I hadn't arrived! But listening to his recordings now, his material still sounds fresh and relevant as it must have done in the 60's. Perhaps the humour keeps it that way rather like that of Woody Guthrie a generation earlier. So much better than Dylan in my view, who just sounds too whingey to me. Phil Ochs's first two albums should be available on CD: 'All the News that's Fit to Sing' and 'I Ain't Marching Anymore'. The later ones for me have lost it. There's also a couple of retrospective CD's I found a few years ago: 'The Broadside Tapes l' and 'A Toast to Those Who Are Gone'. Perhaps some of the songs needs a bit of fine tuning but wonderful material none the less. Yes, he managed that difficult and often unsatisfactory task of putting poems to music. Wish he were still here singing about Bush and Iraq etc.
Janine

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 30 Nov 05 - 06:39 PM

Ah, Janine, how I agree with you on your take of Ochs vis a vis Dylan. Admittedly, the early Dylan was on a par with Ochs. We will, of course, never know how Phil would have evolved but I must say that besides the political (brilliant)pieces he also wrote some beautiful lyrical pieces. "Changes" and "The Bells" come to mind right away. And I do believe The Power and the Glory to be an anthem on a par with Woody Guthrie's This Land is Your Land.

I echo Ron Olesko's comments. Would that we had the knowledge of Bipolar then he --Phil---might still be with us.   His siter is truly a special person who started this in 1983--The Phil Ochs song nights and now they have a wonderful life of their own--with her involvement still. Not to be missed when they are in your area.

As to Dylan and Ochs. There are some interesting anecdotes there since they, obviously, knew each other. I have an old tape of an interview Phil gave and he had some rather scathing thoughts on Dylan.

An earlier writer to this thread mentioned Harry Chapin---and how one might appreciate him if one appreciates Phil Ochs. Probably true. Both great artists who left us too soon. Harry Chapin wrote more of the insights of life and Ochs more about state of the world because of its inhabitants.   And, yes, Harry Chapin does have a very nice tribute song to Phil Ochs " The Parade's Still Passing By"----he also has a great one about Pete Seeger--Old Folkie.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: NormanD
Date: 30 Nov 05 - 07:27 PM

One lesser known thing about Phil Ochs is that he was one of the first Western singers to embrace what's now called World Music. In the early 1970's he spent time in Kenya (which is where he was attacked, I believe, not South Africa - I'm sure he would not have visited or been welcome under the then apartheid regime). He recorded a single with local musicians and Phil is singing in the African language (Swahili?). The songs are "Bwatue" and "Niko Mchumba Ngombe". He pre-dated Paul Simon by at least a decade.

After his death his cremated ashes were scattered from the top of Edinburgh Castle in Scotland.

A great, under-acknowledged troubadour and fighter.

Norman

Subject: Lyr Add: NIKO MCHUMBA NGOBE (Phil Ochs)
From: Azizi
Date: 30 Nov 05 - 07:53 PM

Norman, that song is in Lingala,which, like KiSwahili, is a Bantu language. Some words in Lingala {like "Maisha-life"} are the same or similar as their Swahili counterparts}.

See this excerpt about Lingala:

"Lingala belongs to the Ngala Group of Bantu (Guthrie C36) and is spoken along the Lomami, the Ubangi, and the Zaire rivers as far as Kinshasa in Zaire, as well as up the Sangha River through Congo-Brazzaville and the Central African Republic....Lingala is primarily a lingua franca throughout the area described above. It is also used in the Zairian army and in schools. Lingala is broadcast in Zaire (La Voix du Zaïre and Radio Candip), in the Congo (La Voix de la Révolution), and in Angola (Radio Nacional de Angola)."

http://www.isp.msu.edu/AfrLang/Lingala_root.html

The notes below verify that this song was recorded in Kenya. I would imagine that Lingala speakers would record in Kenya because that East African nation's recording studios surpassed those of Central African nations [at least at the time of Och's recording.t time}

-snip-

The words, translations, and chords for
Niko Mchumba Ngombe are from that linked website:


D    G       A
Niko mchunga ngombe                       (I take care of cows)
D    G       A
Niko mchunga ngombe                       (I take care of cows)
G
Sasa sasa                                (Now now)
A      D
Twende mbele                                (Let's go ahead)

Chakula haina taabu                        (Food is no problem)
Tunana mbuzi tunakula                        (We kill goats and we eat)
Niko mchunga ngombe                       (I take care of cows)
Sasa sasa                                (Now now)
Twende mbele                                (Let's go ahead)

Nguo haina taabu                        (Clothes are no problem)
Tunauza ngombe sokomi                       (We sell cows at the market)
Taabu tunavumilia                        (Problems...we perservere)
Niko mchunga ngombe                       (I take care of cows)
Sasa sasa                                (Now now)
Twende mbele                                (Let's go ahead)

Maisha hapita                                (Life will pass)
Sisi tutazeeka                                (We will get old)
Natoto wangu watalinda ngombe                (My children will take care of the cows)
Niko mchunga ngombe                       (I take care of cows)
Sasa sasa                                (Now now)
Twende mbele                                (Let's go ahead)

Havunjika kivulini                        (I will rest in the shadow)
Na pombe karibu yangu                       (And beer next to me)
Niko mchunga ngombe                       (I take care of cows)
Sasa sasa                                (Now now)
Twende mbele                                (Let's go ahead)

-snip-

See also these notes from that website:

"This song was recorded in 1973 in Kenya with the Pan African Ngembo Rumba Band. The song is written in Lingala. On the original single, Dijiba and Bukasa (whoever they might be) are co-credited with writing the song.

The transcription and translation are thanks to: a. omar, k. lunvuna and zuni migozi. And, of course Dave Cohen who posted them.

the "mchunga" is correct in the lyrics to Niko (mchumba actually means sweetheart/fiance)

Chords supplied by James Barnett.[Last modified 17 Jan 99 by trent]"

Subject: Lyr Add: BWATUE (Phil Ochs)
From: Azizi
Date: 30 Nov 05 - 08:11 PM

Sorry about the spacing and typos. This posting may have similar spacing problems.

Here is the words, translation, and chords for Bwatue

Bwatue
By Phil Ochs

Bwatu e e, bwatu e e                                (Canoe, Canoe)
Bwatu e e, bwatu e e                                (Canoe, Canoe)
Bwatu ya bolingo, bwatu a salongo                (Canoe of love, canoe of work)
Bwatu e, bwatu ya ndenge moko                       (Canoe, canoe of the same way)
Bwatu ya bolingo, bwatu a salongo                (Canoe of love, canoe of work)
Bwatu e, bwatu ya ndenge moko                       (Canoe, canoe of the same way)

Ebale ezali molayi                                (The river is so long)
Mayi ekotiola mbangu                                (Water is running down)
Ebale ezali molayi                                (The river is so long)
Mayi ekotiola mbangu                                (Water is running down)

Tonana na bokasi                                (Let's paddle with strength)
Tonana na bokasi                                (Let's paddle with strength)
Tonana na bokasi                                (Let's paddle with strength)
Bwatu e e, bwatu e e                                (Canoe, Canoe)
Bwatu e e, bwatu e e                                (Canoe, Canoe)

Bwatu e e, bwatu e e                                (Canoe, Canoe)
Bwatu e e, bwatu e e                                (Canoe, Canoe)
Bwatu ya bolingo, bwatu a salongo               (Canoe of love, canoe of work)
Bwatu e, bwatu ya ndenge moko                       (Canoe, canoe of the same way)
Bwatu ya bolingo, bwatu a salongo                (Canoe of love, canoe of work)
Bwatu e, bwatu ya ndenge moko                       (Canoe, canoe of the same way)

Ebale ezali molayi                                (The river is so long)
        Like the river of wine
Mayi ekotiola mbangu                                (Water is running down)
        Making like the rain
Ebale ezali molayi                                (The river is so long)
        Taking the time, broken the chain
Mayi ekotiola mbangu                                (Water is running down)

Tonana na bokasi                                (Let's paddle with strength)
        not too far to ride
Tonana na bokasi                                (Let's paddle with strength)
        For the freedom sign
Tonana na bokasi                                (Let's paddle with strength)
        We cried...
Bwatu e e, bwatu e e                                (Canoe, Canoe)
Bwatu e e, bwatu e e                                (Canoe, Canoe)
        
Bwatu ya bolingo ekomi na ngambo                (Canoe of love has
                                                 arrived in the other side)
Tonani makasi tokomi na ngambo                       (We have paddled with strength
                                                 and have arrived in the
                                                 other side)
Bwatu ya salongo ekomi na ngambo                (Canoe of love has
                                                 arrived in the other side)
Tonani makasi tokomi na ngambo                       (We have paddled with strength
                                                 and have arrived in the
                                                 other side)
Bwatu ya bolingo bwatu a salongo                (Canoe of love, canoe of work)
Bwatu e e bwatu ya ndenge moko                        (Canoe, canoe of the same way)

Bwatu e e Bwatu e e                                (Canoe, Canoe)

-snip

Here are notes from that linked site:

"This song was recorded in 1973 in Kenya with the Pan African Ngembo Rumba Band. On the original single Dijiba and Bukasa (whoever they might be) are co-credited with writing the song. The song is written in Swahili. The transcription and translation are thanks to: a. omar, k. lunvuna and zuni migozi. And, of course Dave Cohen who guessed at the english lines and posted the whole thing.

Last modified 17 Jan 99 by trent "

-snip-

The same person who posted "Niko Mchumba Ngombe" in that website also posted this song.

Both of these songs have African co-writers. In 1986 Paul Simon was successful in collaborating {?} with South African singers on his "Graceland" album. I'm wondering if there were other American singers besides Phil Ochs who predated Simon's collaboration with African singers.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: goodbar
Date: 30 Nov 05 - 08:33 PM

phil ochs is amazing. one of my favorite dudes.

i read a biography on him over the summer. interesting fellow.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: NormanD
Date: 01 Dec 05 - 06:51 AM

Azizi wrote:
"I'm wondering if there were other American singers besides Phil Ochs who predated Simon's collaboration with African singers"

I've wondered about this, too. I can only think of Pete Seeger, but he probably didn't collaborate with other musicians, rather that popularise (and acknowledge) other songs.

There may have been some jazz musicians; there certainly was a developing Afro-centric consciousness from the early 1960's; but, again, this may have been influence rather than collaboration.

Would you like to start another discussion topic here, maybe others have views.

Thanks for the translation, and putting me right about the actual language; I was uncertain.

They're great songs, typical of African pop music of that era. A really interesting collaboration. Did he do it as a political gesture, I wonder?

Norman

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Azizi
Date: 01 Dec 05 - 09:36 AM

Sorta Thread Drift:

Norman,

I agree that a thread on collaborations with African singers & musicians would be an interesting thread.

Why don't you start that thread? I feel like I've topped out for a while on starting threads :o}

But I'd be sure to read such a thread, and probably post a comment on [or is it "to"] it...

Best wishes,

Azizi

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 01 Dec 05 - 09:47 AM

I guess for their time, Marais & Miranda offered their version of African folk to "pop" music.   Marais was from South Africa and Miranda from Holland, but their musical career together took place here in the United States.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: InOBU
Date: 02 Dec 05 - 09:07 AM

As to Phil and mental illness, bi polar or ADHD... I don't know. I do know it takes loving committment to write as he wrote, and the torture is that audiences respond, but the gate keepers keep you away from your audiences. He said in a Canadian concert shortly before his death... hope I remember it acurately "Here is a protest for you... a protest song is a song that you don't hear on the radio, because they say the guy can't sing, or the words are no good, while they play the shit they play on the radio."

For those of us who sing truth to power, ( not comparing my self to Phil, a hero of mine, ) it is a constant knot in your gut, when you struggle to be heard and for example in my case, you get introduced to the record exec, who tells you, "if I haven't heard your name by the age of 48 ( back then) you aren't marketable, face it you are over the hill."
The words over the hill are like a knife in your soul. Today, and it was begining in Phil's day, the industry is looking to children to lead the way, and most are writing as Phil put it, the shit you hear on the radio..."
So, as he said, you keep singing, poor weak flesh in the face of cruel cruel men and their cold machines.
Why... because there is nothing else to do, as long as you can and he did until he could not bear the pain anymore.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 02 Dec 05 - 10:54 AM

Since no one else has brought it up I will. Phil Ochs should, among everything else, be remembered for a nasty and entirely gratuitous anti-lesbian remark which became part of his live recording of Love Me, I'm a Liberal. This is taken verbatim from the LP: I go to civil rights rallies, I put down the old D.A.R. Spoken: D.A.R. That's the Dykes of the American Revolution ! That wasn't the only instance. In one of his publicity photographs, Phil shows himself reading a mock-up of a supermarket tabloid newspaper with the headine reading I WAS RAPED BY DYKES ON BIKES! Could be that Phil had some hang-ups, or maybe fantasies!

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 02 Dec 05 - 11:53 AM

"For those of us who sing truth to power, ( not comparing my self to Phil, a hero of mine, ) it is a constant knot in your gut, when you struggle to be heard and for example in my case, you get introduced to the record exec, who tells you, "if I haven't heard your name by the age of 48 ( back then) you aren't marketable, face it you are over the hill." "

Lorcan, I'm afraid you are blurring the lines.   If you are looking toward a "record exec" as a way to get heard, you are barking up the wrong tree.

The market that record companies sell to are under 25 years old.   That market does not respond well to anyone much beyond that age, unless they are established. This isn't a new practice. Frank Sinatra was a teen when he made it big. Even Al Jolson was a teen when he first achieved success.   This is the way it has been, and the way it always will be.

It isn't something to complain about, it is simply a fact and artists can either let that be a roadblock and admit defeat, or they can look for alternate means.   Not every 48 year old songwriter needs to be a performer. If the song is the message, perhaps plugging the songs with other performers is the way to go.

Tastes in popular music change. It has been many years since a ragtime tune topped the charts and calypso doesn't play to massive audiences anymore. You can't force people to listen to music that doesn't reach their generation.   I would bet that rap and hip-hop are not high on many Mudcatters charts either.

Phil Ochs and artists of his generation, as well as most contemporary songwriters HAVE a niche market.   That market can be supportive of what they like.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Paul Burke
Date: 02 Dec 05 - 12:20 PM

Bwatu e e, bwatu e e (Canoe, Canoe)

Now doesn't bwatu sound like bateau (boat in French)?

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: alanabit
Date: 02 Dec 05 - 12:46 PM

Janice: I think you are making a common error, which is that of identifying the singer with the character, whom is being portrayed. The whole point of,"Love Me I'm A Liberal", is that Phil Ochs is putting down the smug, trendy pseudo liberal, who is ostensibly defending his position. Quite honestly, I can't see how anyone can see that character as anything but a prat. Pete Seeger also gets a name check in that song. The character likes singing protest songs, as long as he is in no danger of having to suffer any loss for his "convictions".
I suppose the word "dykes" might cause offence among some lesbians. I say "some", because I have heard more than one lesbian use it to describe themselves. If you are offended, you are offended, but I could detect no gratuitous spite.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Azizi
Date: 02 Dec 05 - 01:18 PM

Thread drift:

It may be just a coincidence that French word for boat and the Swahili word are similar. There are multiple words in other languages that are spelled the same or similarly, but have different origins and, often, different meanings.

Then again, most [all?]living languages absorb words from other languages.

See this excerpt about the history of the Swahili language and the languages it has absorbed:

"The Swahili language, is basically of Bantu (African) origin. It has borrowed words from other languages such as Arabic probably as a result of the Swahili people using the Quran written in Arabic for spiritual guidance as Muslims.

As regards the formation of the Swahili culture and language, some scholars attribute these phenomena to the intercourse of African and Asiatic people on the coast of East Africa. The word "Swahili" was used by early Arab visitors to the coast and it means "the coast". Ultimately it came to be applied to the people and the language....

It is an undeniable truth that Arab and Persian cultures had the greatest influence on the Swahili culture and the Swahili language. To demonstrate the contribution of each culture into the Swahili language, take an example of the numbers as they are spoken in Swahili. "moja" = one, "mbili" = two, "tatu" = three, "nne" = four, "tano" = five, "nane" = eight, "kumi" = ten, are all of Bantu origin. On the other hand there is "sita" = six, "saba" = seven and "tisa" = nine, that are borrowed from Arabic. The Arabic word "tisa" actually replaced the Bantu word "kenda" for "nine". In some cases the word "kenda" is still used. The Swahili words, "chai" = tea, "achari" = pickle, "serikali" = government, "diwani" = councillor, "sheha" = village councillor, are some of the words borrowed from Persian bearing testimony to the older connections with Persian merchants.

The Swahili language also absorbed words from the Portuguese who controlled the Swahili coastal towns (c. 1500-1700AD). Some of the words that the Swahili language absorbed from the Portuguese include "leso" (handkerchief), "meza" (table), "gereza" (prison), "pesa" ('peso', money), etc. Swahili bull-fighting, still popular on the Pemba island, is also a Portuguese legacy from that period. The Swahili language also borrowed some words from languages of the later colonial powers on the East African coast - English (British) and German. Swahilized English words include "baiskeli" (bicycle), "basi" (bus), "penseli" (pencil), "mashine" (machine), "koti" (coat), etc. The Swahilized German words include "shule" for school and "hela" for a German coin."

-snip-

Click Swahili language
for the entire article.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: GUEST,MLW
Date: 02 Dec 05 - 01:19 PM

I saw Phil at the wonderful, LaCave, in Cleveland. He was a powerful performer. His guitar work was clean and cutting, and his voice was clear and strong. He enunciated his words perfectly so that his songs told their stories. I will never forget it or seeing him in the audience between sets, laughing and smoking cigarettes . . . . His playing I Ain't A'Marching Anymore and "Is there anybody here" is emblazoned in my memory forever. I have played guitar since 1964, and I still play his songs. I always will. I saw a lot of unbelievable folks at La Cave: Odetta, Bob Gibson, Simon and Garfunkel (just before they hit it big), Josh White, Ian & Sylvia, the Blues Project, and others. Ochs was right up there with them. I remember the day he died like yesterday. Oh, how we need him now. His lyrics still resonate deeply. We still are the Cops of the World, aren't we!

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Dec 05 - 01:21 PM

Hindsight is 20/20 vision Janice, I among others said things in those days that we now know are wrong. Such knowledge does not erase any previous ignorant remarks, I know this but Phil isn't around to admit enlightenment or otherwise.
Giok

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Greg F.
Date: 02 Dec 05 - 05:52 PM

Actually, Janice, the headline was "I Was Raped By Lesbian Dykes On Bikes"- redundant, possibly, but there you have it. Any chance, ya think, that Phil was commenting on the utter bullshit the tabloids put out? particularly since The National Tattler was- and may still be- an
actual publication, not something Phil made up.

Best,

Greg

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Peace
Date: 02 Dec 05 - 06:21 PM

If I recall, Phil said that at a time when the DAR came out in favour of the Republicans.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Peace
Date: 02 Dec 05 - 06:24 PM

"Phil Ochs should, among everything else, be remembered for a nasty and entirely gratuitous anti-lesbian remark"

Would you, Janice, care to be remembered for every stunned thing you ever said? Amongst so much good stuff I guess if you are of a mind to you could go find some slop. Generally, Phil 'done good stuff'. One robin doth not a Spring make--nor does an ill-conceived remark on Phil's part make him a bad guy.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 02 Dec 05 - 07:36 PM

I have to say that Love Me I'm A Liberal is one of my favorite Phil Ochs' pieces in how he skewers many of society's hypocrocies so well. He even---in the live version---makes sure the audience gets it in the Malcolm X verse.

As to the DAR. My recollection is that it had to do with their hypocrisy involving a Marian Anderson concert and was a nice play on words. Sort of like John Stuart (Daily Show) skewering people today. The Dykes n Bikes business has, surely, to do with a send up of rags like Star, Enquirer, etc;   That is what his type of music is about--and if yu do not get it then you do not understand satire.   


Recently I MCd a concert and in the intermission a woman came up to me and asked me if I had the lyrics to the artist's songs---since where did he think he was going with his parody of Santa Claus. A truly funny piece that offended no one but reindeers---and people who like the commercialism of Christmas.   She was gay (why that word) and felt she was being impugned.   Time for more senses of humor and ---what do they say now---ease up a bit and relax

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 03 Dec 05 - 02:18 AM

I never said that Phil Ochs was a bad guy, and certainly his music speaks well on his behalf. But that doesn't mean we should worship him as a saint and exempt him from criticism. Phil had a nasty streak, which he could turn into something positive and creative, as his did many times with his sarcastic wit in songs such as Small Circle of Friends. Or he could express it as he did in that homophobic and misogynistic remark about the Dykes of the American Revolution. There is nothing wrong with looking at the totality of the man rather than glossing over his shortcomings.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: Peace
Date: 03 Dec 05 - 02:30 AM

I do not think anyone is worshiping Phil. Simply lauding him. You too are entitled to your opinion, Janice. Have a nice day.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: InOBU
Date: 03 Dec 05 - 07:38 AM

Ron:
My dear dear friend, it is easy when you have a weekly very public voice to talk about barking up the wrong trees... it is more than the record company execs. It is the open mics that now charge singers to perform ( I'll rot in hell before I pay someone to hear me... ) the death of folk clubs in New York. In fact, NJ has a lot more venues... look, all I am saying is I, for one, would not judge Phil Ochs as simply being ill. Suiside sucks... not a good choice, but I would not say he would have been in the place he was, if there was more opportunity to be heard... until you spend a lot of time alone and forgotten... well, just don't judge the man for his death.

cheers
lor

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 03 Dec 05 - 09:45 AM

Lorcan, I never thought that Och's suicide was a result of a decline in his career. Many of Phil's peers were going through the same thing, but they are still with us. What Phil Ochs had was an illness and even if he was at the top of the charts, the results could have been just as tragic. There have been tremendous advances in the years since Phil left us, and I do think he could have been helped if this had happened today.

As for the "public voice", I feel the same pinches that you talk about. The audience for folk music is getting older. The lack of folk clubs and general lack of a "scene" makes it harder for people to stay interested in the music. It is a niche, and it always has been. Aside from a 7 year accident when the folk scare hit, this type of music has always been a favorite of a selective audience.

Artists can no longer rely on record companies or venues. Even open mics tend to be filled with musicians.   It is very tough to be heard.   I receive at least a dozen CD's each week, and maybe 2 or 3 receive airplay.   The show that I share with Bill Hahn is on for 3 hours each week.   Do the math and you will see that if I play an artist more than once a month, they are receiving "heavy" airplay. There is a website - www.folkradio.org where folk-dj's from around the globe post their playlists. One dj compiles a monthly list. When you see that Eliza Gilkyson is #1 on that chart, and her song was played 30 times IN TOTAL, you see how difficult it is to be heard.

Phil Ochs was not a commercial artist. He never had a top 40 hit, and it would be rare to hear him on commercial radio AT HIS PEAK. I remember reading that his albums sold MAYBE 40,000 copies. I could be wrong on the exact number, but he certainly wasn't selling in huge numbers. His music was carried by his fans, and it always will be. Music today is going to be the same.   An artist might get lucky and have a major star record one of their songs, but that is as close to the big time as they can get.    It will take a major change in our culture for this type of music to once again reach the heights it did in the 1960's, and I don't think it would be worth losing the integrity of the style.

Subject: RE: I just discovered Phil Och's music
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Dec 05 - 10:26 AM

Good post Ron, and the truth.