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I dreamed I saw Phil Ochs last night
Alive as you and me
Says I to Phil "you're ten years dead"
"I never died" says he
"I never died" says he
The music business killed you Phil
They ignored the things you said
And cast you out when fashions changed
Says Phil, "But I ain't dead"
Says Phil, "But I ain't dead"
The FBI harassed you Phil
They smeared you with their lies
Says he, "But they could never kill what they could not compromise"
"I never compromised"
"Though fashions changed and critics sneered"
"The songs that I have sung"
"Are just as true tonight as then"
"The struggle caries on"
"Our struggle caries on"
When the song of freedom rings out loud
From valleys and from hills
Where people stand up for their rights
Phil Ochs is with us still
Phil Ochs inspires us still
Alive as you and me
Says I to Phil "you're ten years dead"
"I never died" says he
"I never died" says he
The music business killed you Phil
They ignored the things you said
And cast you out when fashions changed
Says Phil, "But I ain't dead"
Says Phil, "But I ain't dead"
The FBI harassed you Phil
They smeared you with their lies
Says he, "But they could never kill what they could not compromise"
"I never compromised"
"Though fashions changed and critics sneered"
"The songs that I have sung"
"Are just as true tonight as then"
"The struggle caries on"
"Our struggle caries on"
When the song of freedom rings out loud
From valleys and from hills
Where people stand up for their rights
Phil Ochs is with us still
Phil Ochs inspires us still
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This is a rewrite of the Alfred Hayes/Earl Robinson song "Joe Hill" (popularized by Joan Baez and others). Phil Ochs was an American 1960s protest singer. If you aren't familiar with his work, check out "Draft Dodger Rag" and "Bound for Glory." I like his earlier works (mostly played solo acoustic) much better than his later, more produced songs. Phil Ochs committed suicide in 1976.