One More Parade (Phil Ochs, Bob Gibson)
Phil’s recording career kicks off with one of his strongest anti-war songs; a lambasting of the patriotic parade glorifying and sanitising war. There is a mocking disdain for the glorification of the war killing machine. Phil pulls back the shroud so that you can see behind the pomp and pageantry to the grief of the bereaved widows. The reality of war is glossed over behind a façade of bravery, parade ground precision and smart uniforms. ‘All march together. Everybody looks the same. So there’s nobody you can blame. War’s a game. World’s in flames. So start the parade!’
The number starts with a military drumbeat intro leading into plucked acoustic guitar strings picking out a melody against a background of strummed guitars. It sets up a marching rhythm that is echoed by the inflexions in Phil’s vocal. His tenor voice, strong, even strident, full of confidence and power, projecting the message of the song in no uncertain manner, full of disdain for the medals and the guns, the adulation and patriotic fervour so far removed from the appalling reality of mud, maiming and slaughter that is the reality of war.
The song came out of a collaboration with his good friend and mentor Bob Gibson. The melody was Bob’s and he provided an important step in Phil’s songwriting.
Phil Ochs On Track: Every Album, Every Song: Amazon.co.uk: Opher Goodwin: 9781789523263: Books