Video above: Phil Ochs singing “There But for Fortune”, in 1964. As Phil Ochs became more politically effective, he encountered increased pressure from authorities, including, having his voice-box crushed by thugs, so he could no longer sing.
Following the roots of the lyrics…
Earlier I posted a version of this lyric structure, created for Claire Culhane, who is part of the history of the man whose life and death are the subject of my current project, Indelible. Here a version by songwriter Billy Bragg.
I Dreamed I Saw Phil Ochs Last Night
By Billy Bragg
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 fashion’s changed and critics sneered
The songs that I have sung
Are just as true tonight as then
The struggle carries on
The struggle carries on”
With 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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