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
The Trial
Phil Ochs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Inside the doors are latching
On the room, the greedy gloom
The trial is revealed
Police are six feet deep
With switchblades in their teeth
So no one leaves and they all believe
This is absolutely real
And the Sergeant says, "Are you ready, boys?
Get ready, boys
Aim...
And Fire...
Order in the court
People ready for the sport
They squirm and squeak and lick their beaks
And grease their feathers down
Everybody rise
Judge is here with bathroom eyes
A Grizzly bear, he hugs his chair
And the greedy gavel pounds
Yes, it pounds
And the Sergeant says, "Are you ready, boys?
Get ready, boys
Aim...
And Fire...
In the dungeon s(?) falls
Writing appeals upon the wall
And the priest in prayers is not even there
So precious is his time
To the stake he's tied
The swallows sing the triggers slide
he bids goodbye to the wattery sky that plunges from his mind
From his mind
And the Sergeant says, "Are you ready, boys?
Get ready, boys
Aim...
And Fire...
In Phil Ochs's song "The Trial," the ominous atmosphere is set right off the bat with the opening line that reads "Outside the cats are scratching, inside the doors are latching." This line suggests that something dark and sinister is going on, and the listener is about to find out what it is. As the song progresses, we learn that police are present with switchblades in their teeth, and no one is allowed to leave. The presence of law enforcement officials and the line "this is absolutely real" indicate that perhaps a trial is underway. The tension in the air is palpable, and the sergeant's repeated instruction to "get ready, boys, aim...and fire" only adds to the apprehension.
The next verse describes the people inside the courtroom squirming and licking their beaks, suggesting that perhaps they are guilty of some wrongdoing. The judge is described as a "Grizzly bear" hugging his chair, further evoking a sense of fear and intimidation. The reference to the "greedy gavel" pounding only reinforces the idea that the people present are at the mercy of those in power.
The final verse takes a darker turn, describing someone in a dungeon writing appeals on the wall while a priest is absent from his prayers due to his busy schedule. The person is then tied to a stake, and the trigger is pulled as they bid goodbye to the "wattery sky that plunges from his mind." This verse seems to be commenting on the brutality of executions and the inhumane treatment of prisoners.
Overall, "The Trial" is a dark and eerie song that paints a picture of a society where justice is not always served fairly. The lyrics suggest that those in power can abuse their authority, leaving the innocent vulnerable and powerless.
Line by Line Meaning
Outside the cats are scratching
People outside the trial are agitated and anxious, just like cats who scratch at things when they are agitated.
Inside the doors are latching
The people inside the trial are closing and securing the doors as a defensive measure, possibly indicating that they feel threatened.
On the room, the greedy gloom
The atmosphere of the room is oppressive and dark, with greed being a driving force behind the events taking place.
The trial is revealed
The trial is taking place and is being brought to light.
Police are six feet deep
The police officers are present in great numbers, possibly indicating an intimidating or oppressive force.
With switchblades in their teeth
The police officers are armed and dangerous, with switchblades being a symbol of their readiness to use force.
So no one leaves and they all believe
The people inside the trial are being held against their will and are being convinced that the trial is real and important.
This is absolutely real
The trial is not a simulation or a joke, but is a real and serious event.
And the Sergeant says, "Are you ready, boys?
The sergeant is preparing to give a command or signal.
Get ready, boys
The sergeant is telling his fellow officers to prepare for something.
Aim...
The officers are preparing to use their weapons.
And Fire...
The officers are shooting their weapons.
Order in the court
The judge is calling for quiet and decorum in the courtroom.
People ready for the sport
The people inside the trial are looking forward to the spectacle of the event.
They squirm and squeak and lick their beaks
The people inside the trial are anxious, vocal, and trying to prepare themselves for what is to come.
And grease their feathers down
The people inside the trial are metaphorically preparing themselves for flight or escape.
Everybody rise
The judge is asking everyone to stand up as a sign of respect.
Judge is here with bathroom eyes
The judge looks tired, possibly indicating that he has been up all night preparing for the trial.
A Grizzly bear, he hugs his chair
The judge is large and powerful, like a grizzly bear, and exerts his authority over the courtroom.
And the greedy gavel pounds
The judge is hitting his gavel on the desk to command attention and order.
In the dungeon s(?) falls
Someone is trapped in a dungeon or prison, where they are writing appeals on the wall.
Writing appeals upon the wall
The person trapped in the dungeon is desperate to escape their situation and is seeking help from outsiders.
And the priest in prayers is not even there
Even the priest, who is usually a source of comfort and guidance, is absent and unable to help.
So precious is his time
The priest is too busy or too important to be present at the trial or to help the person in the dungeon.
To the stake he's tied
Someone is being tied to a stake as part of a punishment, possibly indicating a trial by fire or some other violent form of punishment.
The swallows sing the triggers slide
The sound of birdsong is juxtaposed with the violent and brutal act of a weapon being fired.
He bids goodbye to the wattery sky that plunges from his mind
The person tied to the stake is experiencing a sensation of floating and detachment from reality as they say their final goodbye to life.
Contributed by Cole I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.