A protest song is a song that's so specific that you cannot mistake it for bullshit. Phil Ochs More Quotes by Phil Ochs More Quotes From Phil Ochs In such ugly times, the only true protest is beauty. Phil Ochs protestugly One good song with a message can bring a point more deeply to more people than a thousand rallies. Phil Ochs songpeacepeople 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. Phil Ochs groupspolitical-opinionscommunity 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 rednecklyingamerica Even though you can't expect to defeat the absurdity of the world, you must make that attempt. Phil Ochs absurditydefeatworld 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. Phil Ochs madresponsibilityamerica 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 wisdomstruggleart Love is a rainbow curving down from the sky, falling crystals of color, shades of warm that never die. Phil Ochs colorlovefall It's always the old to lead us to the war. It's always the young to fall. Phil Ochs youngwarfall The final story, the final chapter of Western man, I believe, lies in Los Angeles. Phil Ochs menbelievelying Maybe we should raise our voices, ask somebody why. But demonstrations are a drag, besides we're much too high. Phil Ochs politicsvoiceshould 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. Phil Ochs musicalmirrorssong You can do right or you can do what you are told. And the prize of the victory will belong to the bold. Phil Ochs prizevictoryinspirational 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. Phil Ochs jailgonemen I wonder who I left behind on the other side of fame. Phil Ochs mediasidesart I'm gonna give all I've got to giveCross my heart, and I hope to live. Phil Ochs my-heartheartgiving So good to be alive when the eulogies are read. Phil Ochs eulogyalive The people who carried the burden, who marked in strange field in search of an answer, and ended their journeys an unwilling hero. Phil Ochs journeyheroinspirational In the courtroom, watch the balance of the scalesIf the price is right, there's time for more appealsThe strings are pulled, the switch is stayedThe finest lawyers fees are paidAnd a rich man never died upon the chair Phil Ochs balancemenwatches Some people never get their feet on the ground, They're either sitting in a chair or theyre laying down. Phil Ochs endurancefeetpeople
