Lady Victoria Eclectic Pagan's blog: "Protest Songs"

The War Is Over(1968) By Phil Ochs Album: The War Is Over: The Best Of Phil Ochs Born: El Paso, Texas 1940 Phil Ochs committed suicide, at age 35, in the spring of 1976. Like so many young people who came of age in the '60s, Ochs believed that while America embodied the ideals of freedom and compassion, darker forces were at work challenging those concepts. The fantasy world of the '50s was dead; people who were not even of voting age were being forced to fight an unpopular war in Southeast Asia; racism was tearing apart the South. *Ochs' moral standards may have been impossibly high and improbably naive, but as an individual, Ochs' impact on music and activism has been far greater than he would have ever dreamed. The turning point for Ochs came during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where angry students and other antiwar activists were literally beaten down by authorities during demonstrations against the conflict in Vietnam Ochs was severely affected by the police brutality in Chicago and by the defeat of the new left in general. He lost all hope for the future of his beloved country, he had reached a point where he had simply lost all inspiration. Ochs spent his final autumn in an alcoholic fog, wandering about New York City in a near-homeless state. He had changed his identity, resigned to his belief that the moral, compassionate Phil Ochs of his youth had died along with his ideals. *Excerpt of article by Mark Kemp, Music News Editor, Rolling Stone, New York, 1996 Lyrics: Silent Soldiers on a silver screen Framed in fantasies and dragged in dream Unpaid actors of the mystery The mad director knows that freedom will not make you free And what's this got to do with me I declare the war is over It's over, it's over Drums are drizzling on a grain of sand Fading rhythms of a fading land Prove your courage in the proud parade Trust your leaders where mistakes are almost never made And they're afraid that I'm afraid I'm afraid the war is over It's over, it's over Angry artists painting angry signs Use their vision just to blind the blind Poisoned players of a grizzly game One is guilty and the other gets the point to blame Pardon me if I refrain I declare the war is over It's over, it's over So do your duty, boys, and join with pride Serve your country in her suicide Find the flags so you can wave goodbye But just before the end even treason might be worth a try This country is to young to die I declare the war is over It's over, it's over One-legged veterans will greet the dawn And they're whistling marches as they mow the lawn And the gargoyles only sit and grieve The gypsy fortune teller told me that we'd been deceived You only are what you believe I believe the war is over It's over, it's over

War Edwin Starr Album: Motown Legends: War Charles Hatcher was born January 21, 1942 in Nashville, Tennessee. He was raised in Cleveland, where he formed the Future Tones vocal group in 1957. They recorded one single for Tress, before Starr was drafted into the US Army for three years. After his service, he toured for two years with the Bill Doggett Combo, and was then received a solo contract with the Ric Tic label in 1965. His first single, "Agent Double-O-Soul", was a US Top 30 hit and Starr exploited its popularity by appearing in a short promotional film with actor Sean Connery, best known for his role as James Bond. Motown Records took over the Ric Tic catalogue in 1967.. He then resumed his solo career with the politically outspoken "War", which was a US number 1 in 1970. Lyrics: Oh no-there's got to be a better way Say it again There's got to be a better way-yeah What is it good for? *War has caused unrest Among the younger generation Induction then destruction Who wants to die? War-huh What is it good for? Absolutely nothing Say it again War-huh What is it good for? Absolutely nothing Yeah War-I despise 'Cos it means destruction Of innocent lives War means tears To thousands of mothers how When their sons go off to fight And lose their lives I said War-huh It's an enemy of all mankind No point of war 'Cos you're a man *(Repeat) Give it to me one time-now Give it to me one time-now War has shattered Many young men's dreams We've got no place for it today They say we must fight to keep our freedom But Lord, there's just got to be a better way It ain't nothing but a heart breaker War Friend only to the undertaker War War War-Good God, now Now Give it to me one time now Now now What is it good for?

Universal Soldier Donovan Original Album: Universal Soldier (1965) Buffy Saint Marie wrote "Universal Soldier" in the basement of The Purple Onion coffee house in Toronto in the early sixties. It's about individual responsibility for war and how the old feudal thinking kills us all. Donovan had a hit with it in 1965. His first single, 'Catch The Wind', launched a career that lasted through the 60s with numerous hits ,Universal Soldier, originally on his album, 'Universal Soldier' (1965) was among them. Donovan's finest work was as an ambassador of 'flower power' with memorable singles like 1966's 'Sunshine Superman' and 'Mellow Yellow'. Lyrics: He's five feet two and he's six feet four He fights with missiles and with spears He's all of 31 and he's only 17 He's been a soldier for a thousand years He's a Catholic, a Hindu, an atheist, a Jain, a Buddhist and a Baptist and a Jew and he knows he shouldn't kill and he knows he always will kill you for me my friend and me for you And he's fighting for Canada, he's fighting for France, he's fighting for the USA, and he's fighting for the Russians and he's fighting for Japan, and he thinks we'll put an end to war this way And he's fighting for Democracy and fighting for the Reds He says it's for the peace of all He's the one who must decide who's to live and who's to die and he never sees the writing on the walls But without him how would Hitler have condemned him at Dachau Without him Caesar would have stood alone He's the one who gives his body as a weapon to a war and without him all this killing can't go on He's the universal soldier and he really is to blame His orders come from far away no more They come from him, and you, and me and brothers can't you see this is not the way we put an end to war.

Sky Pilot Eric Burdon and the Animals (1968) Eric Burdon, Vic Briggs, John Weider, Barry Jenkins, Danny McCulloch Album: The Best of Eric Burton& The Animals The original Animals slowly disbanded but Burdon reappeared in California with his new group at the 1967 Monterey International Pop Festival. The band went on to define the era musically with many songs now considered hippie classics such as the fiercely antiwar song 'Sky Pilot'. Lyrics: He blesses the boys as they stand in life The smell of gun grease and their bayonets they shine He's here to help them all that he can To make them feel wanted he's a good holy man. Sky pilot, sky pilot, how high can you fly You'll never never never reach the sky. He smiles at the young soldiers Tells them it's all right He knows of their fears in the forthcoming fight Soon there'll be blood and many will die Mother and fathers back home they will cry. Sky pilot, sky pilot, how high can you fly You'll never never never reach the sky. He humbles a prayer and it ends with a smile The order is given they move down the line But he'll stay behind and he'll meditate But it won't stop the bleeding or end the hate. As the young men move out into the battle zone He feels good with god you're never alone He feels so tired and he lays on his bed Hopes the men will find courage In the words that he's said. Sky pilot, sky pilot, how high can you fly You'll never never never reach the sky. You're soldiers of god you must understand The fate of your country is in your young hands May god give you strength do your job really well If it all was worth in only time it will tell. In the morning they returned with tears in their eyes The stench of death drifts up to the skies A young soldier so it looks at the sky bright Remember the words thou shalt not kill.

People Got To Be Free The Rascals (1968) Words by Felix Cavaliere and Music by Edward Brigati, Jr. Album: The Ultimate Rascals "People Got to Be Free" was an impassioned response to the assassinations of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy. The band was formed in 1964 and signed with Atlantic Records in 1965 as the Rascals, but their early releases were as the Young Rascals, due to another band's similar name. In 1968 the band was able to drop the "Young" from its name. In 1996 the Rascals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. At the induction ceremony the band reunited on stage to play "Good Lovin'" , "Groovin'," "How Can I Be Sure" and "People Got To Be Free." Lyrics: All the world over, so easy to see People everywhere just wanna be free Listen, please listen, that's the way it should be Deep in the valley, people got to be free You should see what a lovely, lovely world this'd be Everyone learned to live together, ah-hah-unh Seems to me such an itty bitty thing should be Why can't you and me learn to love one another? All the world over, so easy to see People everywhere just wanna be free I can't understand it, so simple to me People everywhere just got to be free If there's a man who is down and needs a helpin' hand All it takes is you to understand and to pull him through, ah-hah-unh Seems to me we got to solve it individually, ah-hah-unh And I'll do unto you what you do to me Shout it from the mountain on out to the sea (out to the sea) No two ways about it, people have to be free Ask me my opinion, my opinion will be Nat'ral situation for a man to be free Git right on board now Oh, what a feelin's just come over me Love can move a mountain, make a blind man see Everybody sing it now come on let's go see Deep in the valley now, we ought to be free SPOKEN See that train over there? That's the train of freedom It's about to 'rrive any minute, now You know it's been'a long, long overdue Look out 'cause it's a'comin' right on through

OHIO Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, 1970 Album: 4 Way Street This song describes a historical event in America during the Vietnam War. It is about the shootings that took place at Kent State University on May 4, 1970; when the National Guard opened fire on a large group of protesters and killed four people. Many wondered if the Constitution still protected our right to assemble or not. Lyrics: Tin soldiers and Nixon's coming We're finally on our own This summer I hear the drumming Four dead in Ohio Gonna get down to it soldiers are cutting us down Should have been down long ago What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground How can you run when you know. Gonna get down to it soldiers are cutting us down Should have been down long ago What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground How can you run when you know.

Imagine John Lennon Album: Imagine Lennon's idea of a perfect world, no religion, no war, no possessions, and no hunger. For most people this song epitomizes the hippie movement, it is everything they wanted. "My role in society, or any artist's or poet's role, is to try and express what we all feel. Not to tell people how to feel. Not as a preacher, not as a leader, but as a reflection of us all." - John Lennon Lyrics: Imagine there's no heaven, It's easy if you try, No hell below us, Above us only sky, Imagine all the people living for today... Imagine there's no countries, It isn't hard to do, Nothing to kill or die for, No religion too, Imagine all the people living life in peace... Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can, No need for greed or hunger, A brotherhood of man, Imagine all the people Sharing all the world... You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope some day you'll join us, And the world will live as one.

Masters of War Bob Dylan Album:Freewheelin'(1963) This song criticizes the government for sending teenagers off to Vietnam and the cruelty and lack of respect shown for the common people or the former heroes of the war. Lyrics: Come you masters of war You that build all the guns You that build the death planes You that build the big bombs You that hide behind walls You that hide behind desks I just want you to know I can see through your masks You that never done nothin' But build to destroy You play with my world Like it's your little toy You put a gun in my hand And you hide from my eyes And you turn and run farther When the fast bullets fly Like Judas of old You lie and deceive A world war can be won You want me to believe But I see through your eyes And I see through your brain Like I see through the water That runs down my drain You fasten the triggers For the others to fire Then you set back and watch When the death count gets higher You hide in your mansion As young people's blood Flows out of their bodies And is buried in the mud You've thrown the worst fear That can ever be hurled Fear to bring children Into the world For threatening my baby Unborn and unnamed You ain't worth the blood That runs in your veins How much do I know To talk out of turn You might say that I'm young You might say I'm unlearned But there's one thing I know Though I'm younger than you Even Jesus would never Forgive what you do Let me ask you one question Is your money that good Will it buy you forgiveness Do you think that it could I think you will find When your death takes its toll All the money you made Will never buy back your soul And I hope that you die And your death'll come soon I will follow your casket In the pale afternoon And I'll watch while you're lowered Down to your deathbed And I'll stand o'er your grave 'Til I'm sure that you're dead Copyright © 1963; renewed 1991 Special Rider Music

If I Had A Hammer Lyrics and music by Lee Hays and Pete Seeger (1949) Seeger sang for the people and their rights at a time when that could get rabble-rousers blacklisted and worse. What's more, he got the people singing for themselves Peter, Paul and Mary (1962) Album: Around the Campfire LYRICS: If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the morning, I'd hammer in the evening, All over this land, I'd hammer out danger, I'd hammer out a warning, I'd hammer out love between, My brothers and my sisters, All over this land. If I had a bell, I'd ring it in the morning, I'd ring it in the evening, All over this land, I'd ring out danger, I'd ring out a warning, I'd ring out love between, My brothers and my sisters, All over this land.

I Ain't Marching Anymore Written by Phil Ochs and Bob Gibson Album: I ain't Marching Anymore Phil Ochs was one of the great voices of our century with such songs as "Lincoln Park ", "I Ain't Marchin"..., "Pleasures of the Harbor", "The World Began in Eden and Ended in Los Angeles" and "Crucifixion". Lyrics: Oh,I marched to the battle of New Orleans At the end of the early British war The young land started growin' The young blood started flowin' But I ain't a-marchin' anymore But I've killed my share of Injuns In a thousand different fights I was there at the Little Big Horn I saw many men lyin' I saw many more dyin' But I ain't a-marchin' anymore CHORUS It's always the old to lead us to the war 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 a-marchin' anymore For I marched to the battles of the German trench In a war that was bound to end all wars Oh, I must have killed a million men And now they want me back again But I ain't a-marchin' anymore CHORUS For I flew the final mission in the Japanese sky Set off the mighty mushroom roar When I saw the cities burnin' I knew that I was learnin' That I ain't a-marchin' anymore Now the labor leader's screamin' when they close the missile plants United Fruit screams at the Cuban shore Call it "Peace " or call it "Treason " Call it "Love" or call it "Reason " But I ain't a-marchin' any more. No, I ain't a-marchin' any more.