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
If I Knew
Phil Ochs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And If I knew the taste of ancient wine
If I knew all these wonders, there's one thing more I'd know
I'd know the way we all should go
And If I knew the waves upon the shore
If I knew all these wonders, there's one thing more I'd know
I'd know the way we all should go
If I knew the seasons and the wisdom of the years
I'd know the reason we are here
If I knew the power of the Lord
And where the gifts of heaven may be stored
If I knew all these wonders, there's one thing more I'd know
I'd know the way we all should go
If I knew the seasons and the wisdom of the years
I'd know the reason we are here
If I knew the power of the Lord
And where the gifts of heaven may be stored
If I knew all these wonders, there's one thing more I'd know
I'd know the way we all should go
The lyrics of Phil Ochs's song "If I Knew" express a yearning to understand the mysteries of the universe and the purpose of life. The repetition of "If I knew" in each verse emphasizes the singer's desire for knowledge and guidance. The opening lines invite the listener to imagine the immensity of the sun and the complexity of ancient wine, and then shifts to the idea that if one were to have access to all this knowledge, they would still not know the way we should all go. This line implies that there is something essential missing that cannot be learned from facts and scientific discoveries.
The second verse adds to this mystery by describing the beauty of the ocean and the waves. The same sentiment is expressed in the repetition of the chorus which states that even if the singer knew all these wonders, they still would not know the way we should all go. The third verse introduces the notion of religion and sets up the idea that the singer does not know where the gifts of heaven are stored. The final lines bring the song back to the idea that if the singer knew all these things, they still would not know the way to go. The implication here is that the answer to this question may lie beyond the realm of human knowing.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of wonder and a deep yearning for guidance. Phil Ochs's use of repetition in the chorus serves to emphasize the singer's desire to know the essential answer to life's meaning. The song speaks to a universal human experience that at times, despite all our advances and discoveries, we still feel lost and unsure of our path.
Line by Line Meaning
If I knew why the sun did shine
If I truly understood the reason behind why the sun gives us light and warmth
And If I knew the taste of ancient wine
If I had firsthand experience of the taste of wine from centuries ago
If I knew all these wonders, there's one thing more I'd know
Even if I were knowledgeable about all these incredible things, there would still be something else I want to understand
I'd know the way we all should go
I would understand the direction that humanity should move forward in
If I knew the deepest ocean floor
If I had knowledge of the bottom-most parts of the vast ocean
And If I knew the waves upon the shore
If I understood the rhythm of the waves on the shore and their impact on the earth
If I knew the seasons and the wisdom of the years
If I had an understanding of the importance and lessons learned during the yearly cycles and the changes in our world
I'd know the reason we are here
I would know the purpose behind our existence on this earth
If I knew the power of the Lord
If I had knowledge of the divine power of God and the omnipotence that works in our world
And where the gifts of heaven may be stored
If I had an understanding of the mental storage location for what is bestowed upon us from God
I'd know the way we all should go
I would understand the direction that humanity should move forward in
If I knew the seasons and the wisdom of the years
If I had an understanding of the importance and lessons learned during the yearly cycles and the changes in our world
I'd know the reason we are here
I would know the purpose behind our existence on this earth
If I knew the power of the Lord
If I had knowledge of the divine power of God and the omnipotence that works in our world
And where the gifts of heaven may be stored
If I had an understanding of the mental storage location for what is bestowed upon us from God
If I knew all these wonders, there's one thing more I'd know
Even if I were knowledgeable about all these incredible things, there would still be something else I want to understand
I'd know the way we all should go
I would understand the direction that humanity should move forward in
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TIM HARDIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind