Ochs performed at many political events, including anti-Vietnam War and civil rights rallies, student events, and organized labor events over the course of his career, in addition to many concert appearances at such venues as New York City's Town Hall and Carnegie Hall. Politically, Ochs described himself as a "left social democrat" who became an "early revolutionary" after the protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago led to a police riot, which had a profound effect on his state of mind.
After years of prolific writing in the 1960s, Ochs's mental stability declined in the 1970s. He eventually succumbed to a number of problems including alcoholism, and took his own life in 1976.
Some of Ochs's major influences were Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Bob Gibson, Faron Young, Merle Haggard, John Wayne, and John F. Kennedy. His best-known songs include "I Ain't Marching Anymore", "Changes", "Crucifixion", "Draft Dodger Rag", "Love Me I'm a Liberal", "Outside of a Small Circle of Friends", "Power and the Glory", "There but for Fortune", and "The War Is Over".
For a more thorough and interesting bio on Phil visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Ochs
Celia
Phil Ochs Lyrics
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When a kiss from a prison cell is carried in the breeze
That's when I wonder how sad a man can be.
Oh, when will Celia come to me?
Sierra Madre and the Philipino shore
When will I lie beside my Celia 'neath the trees?
Oh, when will Celia come to me?
So many years were stolen, so many years are gone
And the vision of my Celia make dreams to dream upon
Each hour is a day filled with memories.
Oh, when will Celia come to me?
I wake each morning and I watch the sun arise
Wonder if my Celia sleeps, wonder if she cries
If hate must be my prison lock, love must be the key
Oh, when will Celia come to me?
The guns have stopped their firing, you may wander through the hills
They kept my Celia through the war, they keep her from me still.
She waits upon island now, a prisoner of the sea.
Oh, when will Celia come to me?
When the wind from the island is rolling through the trees
When a kiss from a prison cell is carried in the breeze
That's when I wonder how sad a man can be.
Oh, when will Celia come to me?
Oh, when will Celia come to me?
Notes:
Phil Ochs's song "Celia" is a powerful portrayal of a man's longing to be reunited with his lover. It speaks of the pain of separation and the hope for reunion in a world where war and prison have divided the lovers. The first stanza highlights the sadness of the man as he lays waiting for his lover. He longs for her to come to him and cannot imagine a sadder situation than his current one. The second stanza harks back to his days in the war-ridden Sierra Madre and Filipino shore. He reminisces lying down beside her amidst the trees, and he longs to relive that moment once again with her. The third stanza reflects on the years he has been away from her and how difficult it has been to conjure the memory of her in his mind. Every hour has been filled with memories, but his heart still yearns for her to come back to him. The fourth stanza speaks of his daily routine of watching the sunrise each morning, pondering over whether Celia is sleeping or crying. He believes that only love can free him from the prison of hate. The fifth and final stanza ends on a somber note, speaking of the guns having stopped their firing, and yet Celia is not with him. She is imprisoned on an island, a prisoner of the sea. He wonders when Celia will come to him, and it seems the question hangs on forever.
Line by Line Meaning
When the wind from the island is rollin' through the trees
The lyrics establish the setting and the melancholy mood of the song, and let us know that the singer is waiting for someone named Celia. He is familiar with the place and the environment, maybe even the island the wind is blowing from.
When a kiss from a prison cell is carried in the breeze
The singer is separated from his lover Celia as she is locked up in a prison cell somewhere. The meaning of the line is metaphorical, as love is still present despite the walls between them.
That's when I wonder how sad a man can be.
The singer vents his frustration and deep sadness with the situation he is in. He is almost in disbelief at how unfortunate things have ended up, and how helpless he feels.
Oh, when will Celia come to me?
This line serves as a refrain and repeats throughout the song emphasizing the longing of the singer to see Celia once again. It is the central motif of the song.
I still remember the mountains of the war
The singer reflects on how war changed his life and especially his love story with Celia. It's likely that they met during wartime and might have fallen in love in the mountains spoken about here.
Sierra Madre and the Philipino shore
The lyrics recount some of the singer's experiences during the war, as he refers to the battlefield and coastal regions he visited during his service.
When will I lie beside my Celia 'neath the trees?
The singer still reminisces about happy times spent in nature when they were together. A sense of longing is felt once again, and the lyrics reflect the desire to be with Celia once more, and in a peaceful romantic setting.
So many years were stolen, so many years are gone
In a line that drips with nostalgia, the singer muses about opportunities lost because of separation from Celia. Time has passed, and they have not been able to spend it with each other.
And the vision of my Celia make dreams to dream upon
The love shared by the two is still present, and the singer derives solace from memories of Celia. Thoughts of her inspire him to dream of better, happier times.
Each hour is a day filled with memories.
The lyrics emphasize the pain of separation, with the singer reminiscing about time spent with Celia, and how every moment that passes now seems like an eternity. Each passing moment fills the singer with nostalgia and regret.
I wake each morning and I watch the sun arise
The sadness in the singer's soul is visible even in moments of ordinary routine. The morning serves as a reminder of a life that he was once able to share with Celia.
Wonder if my Celia sleeps, wonder if she cries
The singer expresses concern for Celia's well-being, and also longs for the intimate moments of sharing one's emotions to her as he is unsure of her current state.
If hate must be my prison lock, love must be the key
The song lyrics can be interpreted as an anti-war commentary as the singer suggests that love should be the only path to reconciliation, and proclaiming the contrast between love and hate.
The guns have stopped their firing, you may wander through the hills
The war has ended, and the singer looks forward to being reunited with Celia. Peace has been declared, but he knows that Celia is still held captive somewhere, likely in the aftermath of the war.
They kept my Celia through the war, they keep her from me still.
The lyrics reveal that Celia is still a victim of the war, despite it ending long ago. The forces that disrupted their life earlier have not stopped just yet, and the singer is still unable to unite with her.
She waits upon island now, a prisoner of the sea.
The singer reveals that Celia is held captive on an island and unable to leave. She is trapped, much as the singer too believes himself to be.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PHIL OCHS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind