Phil Ochs Quotes

I'm gonna give all I've got to giveCross my heart, and I hope to live.

Some people never get their feet on the ground, They're either sitting in a chair or theyre laying down ...

The glory that was Lincoln's never died when he was slain.

Step outside the guidelines of the official umpires and make your own rules and your own reality.

One good song with a message can bring a point more deeply to more people than a thousand rallies.

In the town of Bethlehem many years ago, a man got religion and he changed the status quo.

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

One legged veterans will greet the dawn, and they're whistling marches as they mow the lawn, and the gargoyles on sit and grieve.

I like Hitler, jolly jolly Hitler.

America is two Mack trucks colliding on a superhighway because all the drivers are on amphetamines.

success is an enemy to the losers of the day

In every political community there are varying shades of political opinion. One of the shadiest of these is the liberals. An outspoken group on many subjects. Ten degrees to the left of center in good times. Ten degrees to the right of center if it affects them personally. Here, then, is a lesson in safe logic.

Does defending liberalism leave you friendless and perhaps wondering about your breath?

The fortunes of the entire world may well ride on the ability of young Americans to face the responsibilities of an old America gone mad.

You can do what's right, or you can do what you are told.

So do your duty, boys, and join with prideServe your country in her suicideFind the flags so you can wave goodbyeBut just before the end even treason might be worth a tryThis country is too young to dieI declare the war is overIt's over, it's over.

Show me the prison, Show me the jail, Show me the prisoner whose life has gone stale. And I'll show you a young man with so many reasons why And there, but for fortune, go you or I.

I wonder who I left behind on the other side of fame.

Beneath the greatest love lies a hurricane of hate.

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.

You can do right or you can do what you are told. And the prize of the victory will belong to the bold.

The truest protest is beauty.

When they show the destruction of society on color TV, I want to be able to look out over Los Angeles and make sure they get it right.

Evil is done in hopes that evil surrenders, but the deeds of the devil are burned too deep in the embers, and world of hunger in vengeance will always remember.

Leaving America is like losing twenty pounds and finding a new girlfriend.

The final story, the final chapter of western man, I believe, lies in Los Angeles.

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 Worl

Show me a country where the bombs had to fallShow me the ruins of buildings so tallAnd I'll show you a young landWith many reasons whyThere but for fortune, go you or IYou or I.

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.

The only possibility in the United States for a humane society would be a revolution with Elvis Presley as leader.

Is there anybody here who thinks that following the orders takes away the blame Is there anybody here who wouldn't mind a murder by another name?

Call it peace or call it treason / call it love or call it reason / but I ain't marching anymore

God help the troubadour who tries to be a star. The more that you try to find success, the more that you will fail.

Even though you can't expect to defeat the absurdity of the world, you must make that attempt.

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.