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
I'm Going to Say It Now
Phil Ochs Lyrics
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And only want to learn
But it's hard to read through the risin' smoke
Of the books that you like to burn
So I'd like to make a promise
And I'd like to make a vow
That when I've got something to say, sir
Oh you've given me a number
And you've taken off my name
To get around this campus
Why, you almost need a plane
And you're supporting Chang Kai-Shek
While I'm supporting Mao
So when I've got something to say, sir
I'm gonna say it now
I wish that you'd make up your mind
I wish that you'd decide
That I should live as freely
As those who live outside
Cause we also are entitled
To the rights to be endowed
And when I've got something to say, sir
I'm gonna say it now
Ooh, you'd like to be my father
You'd like to be my Dad
And give me kisses when I'm good
And spank me when I'm bad
But since I've left my parents
I've forgotten how to bow
So when I've got something to say, sir
I'm gonna say it now
And things they might be different
If I was here alone
But I've got a friend or two
Who no longer live at home
And we'll respect our elders
Just as long as they allow
That when I've got something to say, sir
I'm gonna say it now
I've read of other countries
Where the students take a stand
Maybe even help to overthrow
The leaders of the land
Now I wouldn't go so far to say
We're also learnin' how
But when I've got something to say, sir
I'm gonna say it now
So keep right on a-talkin'
And tell us what to do
If nobody listens
My apologies to you
And I know that you were younger once
'cause you sure are older now
And when I've got something to say, sir
I'm gonna say it now
So I am just a student sir
And only want to learn
But it's hard to read through the risin' smoke
From the books that you like to burn
So I'd like to make a promise
And I'd like to make a vow
That when I've got something to say, sir
I'm gonna say it now
Phil Ochs’s song “I’m Going to Say It Now” is primarily a protest against the Vietnam War and the suppression of freedom of speech. The song is narrated by a student who, in the first verse, expresses his desire to learn and his dismay at the opposition he faces from the establishment. The second verse highlights the ideological differences between the student and the establishment. While the establishment supports Chang Kai-Shek, the student supports Mao. The student, however, is not intimidated and vows to speak his mind rather than succumb to the pressure of conformism.
The third verse addresses the issue of individual freedom. The student questions why he cannot enjoy the same liberties as those who live outside the campus. He suggests that he is entitled to the same rights as everyone else and that his voice should be heard. In the fourth verse, the student rebukes the establishment’s attempt to paternalize him. He rejects the notion that anyone should speak on his behalf and insists on expressing his opinions independently. The student acknowledges that he is not alone in his quest for social justice; he has friends who share the same passion.
The final verse directs the attention of the establishment to the possible consequences of ignoring the students' grievances. The student suggests that unrest and rebellion have happened in other places and acknowledges that change is necessary. Nonetheless, he assures the establishment that he intends to voice his thoughts within the law. The refrain "I'm going to say it now" is a powerful statement of the students’ intent to challenge the cultural and political norms of the time.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh I am just a student, sir
I am a young person seeking knowledge
And only want to learn
My main goal is to gain knowledge
But it's hard to read through the risin' smoke
It's difficult to learn in an environment with misguiding information
Of the books that you like to burn
You are intentionally destroying knowledge that you don't agree with
So I'd like to make a promise
I have a sincere intention
And I'd like to make a vow
I am making a solemn promise
That when I've got something to say, sir
I will voice my opinion when necessary
I'm gonna say it now
I will speak up in the present moment
Oh you've given me a number
You have labeled me as just a statistic
And you've taken off my name
You have dehumanized me by removing my individuality
To get around this campus
The system makes it difficult for me to navigate
Why, you almost need a plane
The obstacles placed in my way are insurmountable
And you're supporting Chang Kai-Shek
You are backing a political figure with whom I disagree
While I'm supporting Mao
I have a contrary political allegiance
So when I've got something to say, sir
I will speak my mind in such situations
I'm gonna say it now
I will express myself without hesitation
I wish that you'd make up your mind
I want you to have a clear opinion or decision
I wish that you'd decide
I want you to arrive at a conclusion
That I should live as freely
I should have the same freedoms as others
As those who live outside
As people outside this institution
Cause we also are entitled
I, too, have the right
To the rights to be endowed
To the fundamental rights everyone should have
And things they might be different
It's possible that had things been different
If I was here alone
If I didn't have friends with me
But I've got a friend or two
But I do have support in the people around me
Who no longer live at home
Who have left their childhood homes and are also students
And we'll respect our elders
We will show proper respect to people ahead of us in age or experience
Just as long as they allow
Given that they permit us our independence
That when I've got something to say, sir
When I wish to speak my mind
I'm gonna say it now
I will do so in the present moment
I've read of other countries
I am aware of other places in the world
Where the students take a stand
Where ambitious students speak out in favor of their beliefs
Maybe even help to overthrow
Perhaps they have even assisted in the removal of corrupt leaders
The leaders of the land
Those who govern the populace
Now I wouldn't go so far to say
I don't mean to suggest anything extreme
We're also learnin' how
We have our own ability and facility to learn
But when I've got something to say, sir
But when the time is right for me to express myself
I'm gonna say it now
I will do so immediately
So keep right on a-talkin'
Continue discussing your opinions
And tell us what to do
Provide instructions on what you think we should do
If nobody listens
If there are no ears to receive your message
My apologies to you
I regret that you were unable to get through
And I know that you were younger once
I understand that you yourself once were young
'cause you sure are older now
Yet you have grown older and lost grasp of the younger generation's perspective
And when I've got something to say, sir
On the occasion when I have a viewpoint to express
I'm gonna say it now
I will voice it instantly
So I am just a student sir
As a pupil of this educational institution
And only want to learn
I primarily aim to expand my knowledge
But it's hard to read through the risin' smoke
It's difficult to discern the truth when there is confusion and misleading information
From the books that you like to burn
From the literature pieces that you intentionally destroy
So I'd like to make a promise
Thus, I am making a statement of assurance
And I'd like to make a vow
I am determined and committed to my promise
That when I've got something to say, sir
When the opportunity presents itself and the need arises for me to speak up, sir
I'm gonna say it now
I will not hesitate to do so and will speak up at that time.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PHIL OCHS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind