Ohio
Crosby. Stills. Nash & Young Lyrics
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We're finally on our own
This summer I hear the drumming
Four dead in Ohio
Gotta get down to it
Soldiers are cutting us down
Should have been done long ago
And found her dead on the ground?
How can you run when you know?
Gotta get down to it
Soldiers are cutting us down
Should have been done long ago
What if you knew her
And found her dead on the ground
How can you run when you know?
Tin soldiers and Nixon's coming
We're finally on our own
This summer I hear the drumming
Four dead in Ohio
Four dead in Ohio (four dead)
Four dead in Ohio (four)
Four dead in Ohio
Four dead in Ohio (how many more?)
Four dead in Ohio (why?)
Four dead in Ohio (oh)
Four dead in Ohio (oh)
Four dead in Ohio (why?)
Four dead in Ohio (why?)
Four dead in Ohio (why?)
Four dead in Ohio
The song 'Ohio' by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young recounts the tragic event that occurred on May 4, 1970, at Kent State University in Ohio, where four unarmed students were shot and killed by national guardsmen during a peaceful protest against the Vietnam War. The lyrics are a powerful and emotional response to the shootings, with the opening lines "Tin soldiers and Nixon's coming, we're finally on our own," referencing the National Guard's presence ordered by President Nixon. The lyrics go on to highlight the senselessness of the shootings and question the accountability of those in power: "Should have been done long ago, what if you knew her, and found her dead on the ground? How can you run when you know?"
The repetition of the refrain "gotta get down to it, soldiers are cutting us down" drives home the urgency and gravity of the situation. The use of "tin soldiers" further reinforces the notion that these guardsmen are merely pawns in a larger game, following orders without regard for the humanity of those they are harming. The somber tone of the music complements the weight of the lyrics, although the chorus is more upbeat, almost a call to arms.
Line by Line Meaning
Tin soldiers and Nixon's coming
The military, represented by tin soldiers, and President Nixon are on their way.
We're finally on our own
The people are taking charge of their own fate.
This summer I hear the drumming
The ominous sound of war is impending and can be felt in the air.
Four dead in Ohio
Four individuals were killed in Ohio by National Guardsmen.
Gotta get down to it
We need to take action now.
Soldiers are cutting us down
The military is using violence against peaceful protesters.
Should have been done long ago
Taking action against injustice should have been taken care of much earlier.
What if you knew her
Imagine if the person killed was someone you knew.
And found her dead on the ground?
And you discovered them lifeless on the floor?
How can you run when you know?
How can you turn a blind eye or flee when you are aware of the injustice happening?
Four dead in Ohio
Four individuals lost their lives in Ohio.
Four dead in Ohio (four dead)
Four lives were taken in Ohio.
Four dead in Ohio (four)
Four people are no longer with us after events in Ohio.
Four dead in Ohio
Four people died in Ohio and it should not be forgotten.
Four dead in Ohio (how many more?)
How many more people need to die before change is made?
Four dead in Ohio (why?)
Why were four people killed in such a manner in Ohio?
Four dead in Ohio (oh)
Oh, how tragic it is that four innocent lives were taken in Ohio.
Four dead in Ohio (oh)
Oh, how terrible it is that four people lost their lives in Ohio.
Four dead in Ohio (why?)
Why did four individuals have to die in Ohio? It is a question that remains unanswered.
Four dead in Ohio (why?)
Why did violence have to be used against peaceful protesters, resulting in four deaths in Ohio?
Four dead in Ohio (why?)
Why was the loss of four innocent lives in Ohio allowed to happen without consequence?
Four dead in Ohio
Four people lost their lives in Ohio in a tragic and unnecessary manner.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind