‘There’s no time like the present’, my Mum used to say. She was right. We live in a world that is full of problems and things that need addressing. While there is poverty, environmental catastrophe, cruelty, inequality, war, fundamentalism, creationism, ISIS and exploitation there are things worth shouting about.
We have to open our mouths and speak our minds in the hope that someone will listen and we can make things better.
I am a great believer that we build the zeitgeist that we all swim in. We can make the world a better place. All the problems are solvable. We need to force them into being a priority. They can then be addressed and improved.
It is not futile.
Phil felt that his songs, words and life was meaningless. He thought no one was listening or valuing his ideas. He was wrong. He helped change thing even though he did not know it.
We all make a difference.
I’ve been speaking my truth for many decades. I hope I will for ever. I do know the right from the wrong. Nobody else can speak my thoughts for me. I have to do it myself.
When I’m Gone – Phil Ochs
There’s no place in this world where I’ll belong when I’m gone
And I won’t know the right from the wrong when I’m gone
And you won’t find me singin’ on this song when I’m gone
So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here
And I won’t feel the flowing of the time when I’m gone
All the pleasures of love will not be mine when I’m gone
My pen won’t pour a lyric line when I’m gone
So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here
And I won’t breathe the bracing air when I’m gone
And I can’t even worry ’bout my cares when I’m gone
Won’t be asked to do my share when I’m gone
So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here
And I won’t be running from the rain when I’m gone
And I can’t even suffer from the pain when I’m gone
Can’t say who’s to praise and who’s to blame when I’m gone
So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here
Won’t see the golden of the sun when I’m gone
And the evenings and the mornings will be one when I’m gone
Can’t be singing louder than the guns when I’m gone
So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here
All my days won’t be dances of delight when I’m gone
And the sands will be shifting from my sight when I’m gone
Can’t add my name into the fight while I’m gone
So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here
And I won’t be laughing at the lies when I’m gone
And I can’t question how or when or why when I’m gone
Can’t live proud enough to die when I’m gone
So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here
There’s no place in this world where I’ll belong when I’m gone
And I won’t know the right from the wrong when I’m gone
And you won’t find me singin’ on this song when I’m gone
So I guess I’ll have to do it, I guess I’ll have to do it
Guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here
Read more: Phil Ochs – When I’m Gone Lyrics | MetroLyrics
