Phil Ochs > Quotes

“It is wrong to expect a reward for your struggles. The reward is the act of struggle itself, not what you win. Even though you can't expect to defeat the absurdity of the world, you must make that attempt. That's morality, that's religion. That's art. That's life.”
― Phil Ochs

“In such ugly times, the only true protest is beauty.”
― Phil Ochs

“One good song with a message can bring a point more deeply to more people than a thousand rallies.”
― Phil Ochs

“Call it peace or call it treason, call it love or call it reason, but I ain't marching anymore.”
― Phil Ochs

“But our land is still troubled by men who have to hate. They twist away our freedom, and they twist away our fate. Fear is their weapon, and treason is their cry. We can stop them if we try.”
― Phil Ochs

“And if there's any hope for America, it lies in a revolution, and if there's any hope for a revolution in America, it lies in getting Elvis Presley to become Che Guevara.”
― Phil Ochs

“success is an enemy to the losers of the day”
― Phil Ochs, The Complete Phil Ochs: Chords of Fame

“God isn't dead--he's just missing in action.”
― Phil Ochs

“You can do what's right, or you can do what you are told.”
― Phil Ochs

“Are you going away with no word of farewell? Will there be not a trace left behind? Well I could have loved you better, didn't mean to be unkind. You know that was the last thing on my mind.”
― Phil Ochs

“The only way to Cuba is with the CIA.”
― Phil Ochs

“It's always the old to lead us to the war
It's always the young to fall
Now look at all we've won with the saber and the gun
Tell me is it worth it all

For I stole California from the Mexican land
Fought in the bloody Civil War
Yes I even killed my brothers
And so many others
But I ain't marchin' anymore”
― Phil Ochs

“Come, get out of the way, boys
Quick, get out of the way
You'd better watch what you say, boys
Better watch what you say

We've rammed in your harbor and tied to your port
And our pistols are hungry and our tempers are short
So bring your daughters around to the port
'Cause we're the Cops of the World, boys

We're the Cops of the World
We pick and choose as please, boys
Pick and choose as please
You'd best get down on your knees, boys

Best get down on your knees
We're hairy and horny and ready to shack
We don't care if you're yellow or black
Just take off your clothes and lie down on your back

'Cause we're the Cops of the World, boys
We're the Cops of the World
Our boots are needing a shine, boys
Boots are needing a shine

But our Coca-cola is fine, boys
Coca-cola is fine
We've got to protect all our citizens fair
So we'll send a battalion for everyone there

And maybe we'll leave in a couple of years
'Cause we're the Cops of the World, boys
We're the Cops of the World
Dump the reds in a pile, boys

Dump the reds in a pile
You'd better wipe of that smile, boys
Better wipe off that smile
We'll spit through the streets of the cities we wreck

We'll find you a leader that you can't elect
Those treaties we sighned were a pain in the neck
'Cause we're the Cops of the World, boys
We're the Cops of the World

Clean the johns with a rag, boys
Clean the johns with a rag
If you like you can use your flag, boys
If you like you can use your flag

We've got too much money we're looking for toys
And guns will be guns and boys will be boys
But we'll gladly pay for all we destroy
'Cause we're the Cops of the World, boys

We're the Cops of the World
Please stay off of the grass, boys
Please stay off of the grass
Here's a kick in the ass, boys

Here's a kick in the ass
We'll smash down your doors, we don't bother to knock
We've done it before, so why all the shock?
We're the biggest and toughest kids on the block

'Cause we're the Cops of the World, boys
We're the Cops of the World
When we butchered your son, boys
When we butchered your son

Have a stick of our gum, boys
Have a stick of our buble-gum
We own half the world, oh say can you see
The name for our profits is democracy

So, like it or not, you will have to be free
'Cause we're the Cops of the World, boys
We're the Cops of the World”
― Phil Ochs

“Trust your leaders where mistakes are almost never made
And they're afraid that I'm afraid”
― Phil Ochs, The War is Over

“As I went out one evening to take the evening air
I was blessed by a blood-red moon
In Lincoln Park the dark was turning
I spied a fair young maiden and a flame was in her eye
And on her face lay the steel blue skies
Of Lincoln Park, the dark was turning
Turning

They spread their sheets upon the ground just like a wandering tribe
And the wise men walked in their Robespierre robes
Through Lincoln Park the dark was turning
The towers trapped and trembling, and the boats were tossed about
When the fog rolled in and the gas rolled out
From Lincoln Park the dark was turning
Turning

Like wild horses freed at last we took the streets of wine
But I searched in vain for she stayed behind
In Lincoln Park the dark was turning
I'll go back to the city where I can be alone
And tell my friend she lies in stone
In Lincoln Park the dark was turning”
― Phil Ochs

“The Passing of My Life"

"I've seen rivers red with blood
I've seen valleys filled with mud
I've seen stormy seas that pound upon the shore
I've seen mountains strewn with bones
I've seen people without homes
And it's all with the passing of my life

I've seen highways heading down
I've seen green grass turn to brown
I've seen forests burn a couple days or more
I've seen prairies filled with holes
I've seen good men sell their souls
And it's all with the passing of my life

And as I see the fury of the fire and the flame
I wonder if my children will have to see the same

I've seen rockets all ablaze
I've seen dark and deadly days
I've seen cities bombed and butchered to the ground
I've seen battles by the score
I've seen ten too many wars
And it's all with the passing of my life”
― Phil Ochs