Ohio
Crosby Stills Nash&Young Lyrics


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Tin soldiers and Nixon's coming
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
What if you knew her
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

Overall Meaning

The song "Ohio" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young was released in 1970 during a time of political turmoil and social unrest in the United States. The lyrics are a commentary on the events that took place at Kent State University in Ohio on May 4, 1970, where National Guard soldiers killed four unarmed students who were protesting against the Vietnam War.


The first line of the song, "Tin soldiers and Nixon's coming," is a reference to the National Guard soldiers who were sent to the campus by President Nixon to maintain order during the protests. The second line, "We're finally on our own," represents the students' feeling of being abandoned by their government and left to fend for themselves. The line "This summer I hear the drumming" refers to the sound of the soldiers' boots as they marched onto the campus. The refrain "Four dead in Ohio" is a mournful reminder of the tragedy that occurred.


The song's powerful lyrics and haunting melody captured the national mood and became an anthem for a generation of Americans who were opposed to the war and the government's handling of the protests. It remains a powerful reminder of the need to hold those in power accountable and to fight for justice in the face of oppression.


Line by Line Meaning

Tin soldiers and Nixon's coming
The National Guard, or 'tin soldiers', are being sent by President Nixon to deal with anti-war protestors.


We're finally on our own
The protestors feel that they cannot rely on the government or authority figures to help them, and are forced to fend for themselves.


This summer I hear the drumming
The beat of the drums represents the growing intensity and tension of the situation.


Four dead in Ohio
Four protestors were shot and killed by National Guard soldiers on the campus of Kent State University in Ohio during a demonstration against the Vietnam War.


Gotta get down to it
The protestors feel a sense of urgency and obligation to take action in response to the violence and injustice they are facing.


Soldiers are cutting us down
The National Guard soldiers are using physical force to quell the protestors and prevent them from expressing their dissenting views.


Should have been done long ago
The protestors believe that the government should have taken action to end the war and address their concerns much earlier, and that the delay has only led to more suffering and tragedy.


What if you knew her
The singer prompts the listener to consider the humanity of the victims and imagine how they would feel if someone they knew personally was killed in the same manner.


And found her dead on the ground?
The gruesome image of a dead body lying on the ground is intended to evoke a strong emotional response and convey the horror of the situation.


How can you run when you know?
The singer questions the ability of those in power to turn a blind eye to the violence and injustice that has taken place, and urges them to take responsibility for their actions.


Four dead in Ohio (four dead)
The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the gravity and significance of the event, and helps to make the message more memorable and impactful.


How many more? (why?)
The singer wonders how many more lives will be lost before the government takes action and puts an end to the war and the violence against protestors.


Four dead in Ohio (oh)
The repetition of the phrase serves as a refrain that provides a sense of unity and solidarity among the protestors.


Four dead in Ohio (oh)
The repetition of the phrase serves as a refrain that provides a sense of unity and solidarity among the protestors.


Four dead in Ohio (why?)
The singer continues to question the reasoning behind the violence and lament the loss of life that could have been avoided.


Four dead in Ohio (why?)
The singer continues to question the reasoning behind the violence and lament the loss of life that could have been avoided.


Four dead in Ohio (why?)
The singer continues to question the reasoning behind the violence and lament the loss of life that could have been avoided.




Lyrics © Broken Arrow Music, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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