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
That Was the President
Phil Ochs Lyrics
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Em am d
As the angry seas have struck upon the sand
G c g bm
And it seemed as though a friendless world had lost itself a friend
Em d g
That was the president and that was the man.
As he drove through the music of the band
And never even knowing no more time would be allowed
Not for the president and not for the man.
Here's a memory to share, here's a memory to save
Of the sudden early ending of command
Yet a part of you and a part of me is buried in his grave
That was the president and that was the man.
It's not only for the leader that the sorrow hits so hard
There are greater things I'll never understand
How a man so filled with life, even death was caught off guard.
That was the president and that was the man.
Every thing he might have done and all he could have been
Was proven by the troubled traitors hand
For what other death could wound the hearts of so many men
That was the president and that was the man.
Yes, the glory that was lincoln's never died when he was slain
It's been carried over time and time again
And to the list of honor you may add another name
That was the president and that was the man.
That was the president and that was the man.
Here is an older version of the song, supplied by cody gillespie-lynch
On a south pacific ocean, on a south pacific shore,
A legend was written on the sand,
For a man of peace was born in the middle of a war,
That was the president, and that was the man.
With the wisdom of the old and the vision of the young,
A challenge was given to the land,
And our dreams of peace were spoken with a gifted, golden tongue,
That was the president, and that was the man.
When the freedom revolution gave a rumble and a roar,
The world was shown on which side he would stand,
For the first time in a hundred years he opened up the door,
That was the president, and that was the man.
When a hungry world was searching for a way to feed it's own,
The peace corps was offered as his plan,
And now these seeds of knowledge go wherever winds have blown,
That was the president, and that was the man.
Everything he might've done and all he could've been,
Was proven by the tainted traitor's hand,
For what other death could wound the hearts of so many men,
That was the president, and that was the man.
No end to all the sorrow and the hours we shall grieve,
So deep was the fire of his brand,
And still I can remember, and still I can't believe,
That was the president, and that was the man.
Yes, the glory that was lincoln's never died when he was slain,
That glory shown with roosevelt again,
And to this list of honor you may list another name,
For these were the presidents, and these were the men.
In the song "That Was the President" by Phil Ochs, the bullets of false revenge strike again as the world mourns the loss of President John F. Kennedy. Ochs reflects on the sudden ending of JFK's life and the impact that his death had on the world. He describes JFK as a man of the people who was full of life and brought hope to a troubled world. Ochs also notes that the assassination of JFK was not just the loss of a leader, but also wounded the hearts of many individuals.
The lyrics create a powerful reflection on the loss of a president who was deeply loved by many Americans. Ochs uses the imagery of the crashing waves to represent the impact of JFK's death on the world. He also emphasizes JFK's charisma and popularity by describing him waving at crowds during a presidential motorcade. Ochs notes that JFK's death was not just a loss of a president, but also a loss of a man who had many dreams and aspirations for the world.
Overall, "That Was the President" is a touching tribute to JFK and his legacy. Ochs captures the sadness and shock that followed JFK's assassination while also highlighting the impact that JFK had on the world during his time as president.
Line by Line Meaning
The bullets of the false revenge have struck us once again
We have been struck by false revenge, just as the waves of the sea strike upon the sand.
And it seemed as though a friendless world had lost itself a friend
The loss of the president is felt as if the world has lost a friend.
That was the president and that was the man.
The president was both a leader and a human being.
I still can see him smiling there and waving at the crowd
I have a clear memory of the president smiling and waving at a crowd.
Not for the president and not for the man.
The president did not have any more time left.
Yet a part of you and a part of me is buried in his grave
We are all impacted by and connected to the loss of the president.
How a man so filled with life, even death was caught off guard.
The sudden death of someone so full of life is difficult to understand.
For what other death could wound the hearts of so many men
Few deaths could have had a similar emotional impact to the loss of the president.
Yes, the glory that was lincoln's never died when he was slain
Even in death, President Lincoln's glory lived on and this will also hold true for the current president.
And to the list of honor you may add another name
The president should be added to the list of honorable leaders, past and present.
Here's a memory to share, here's a memory to save
Let us remember and cherish the memories of the president.
It's not only for the leader that the sorrow hits so hard
The loss of the president is felt deeply by many for various reasons.
Every thing he might have done and all he could have been
The loss of the president means we will never know all he could have accomplished.
With the wisdom of the old and the vision of the young
The president had both the wisdom of experience and the vision of youth.
A challenge was given to the land
The president presented a challenge to the country to achieve peace.
And our dreams of peace were spoken with a gifted, golden tongue
The president spoke eloquently of our shared dreams of peace.
The world was shown on which side he would stand
The president took a stand on the side of freedom during the revolution.
The peace corps was offered as his plan
The president implemented his plan of the Peace Corps to help the world.
And now these seeds of knowledge go wherever winds have blown
The president's legacy of knowledge and peace is spreading throughout the world.
So deep was the fire of his brand
The president's influence burned deep and strong.
And still I can remember, and still I can't believe
The memory of the president is strong and his loss is hard to comprehend.
That glory shown with roosevelt again
President Roosevelt's glory was also present in his death and legacy.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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