Lyrics Billy Bragg

Billy Bragg

I Dreamed I Saw Phil Ochs Last Night

I dreamed I saw Phil Ochs last night

Alive as you and me

Says I to Phil "You're ten years dead"

"I never died" says he

"I never died" says he

The music business killed you Phil

They ignored the things you said

And cast you out when fashions changed

Says Phil "But I ain't dead"

Says Phil "But I ain't dead"

The FBI harassed you Phil

They smeared you with their lies

Says he "But they could never kill

What they could not compromise

I never compromised"

"Though fashion's changed and critics sneered

The songs that I have sung

Are just as true tonight as then

The struggle carries on

The struggle carries on"

With the song of freedom rings out loud

From valleys and from hills

Where people stand up for their rights

Phil Ochs is with us still

Phil Ochs inspires us still