Folk Music

There were those who fought in the Vietnam War and those who protested against fighting. Phil Ochs belonged to the latter group. He wrote this song, which features a soldier who has fought in American wars from 1812 to the Civil War to the World Wars of the 20th century. And this symbolic soldier now chooses to fight no longer. Ochs said that it “borders between pacifism and treason, combining the best qualities of both.” “I Ain’t Marching Anymore” became a signature song for Ochs. It was released in 1965 on his album titled I Ain’t Marching Anymore.

Phil Ochs was born Philip David Ochs in El Paso, Texas, in 1940. He was known as a Sixties protest singer, and throughout the 1960s performed at civil rights rallies, student events, and organized labor events. Ochs sang “I Ain’t Marching Anymore” at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where riots broke out.

In the early ’60s, Phil Ochs was as well known as Bob Dylan. His song “There but for Fortune” was a minor U.S. hit for Joan Baez in 1965 (and a Top 10 hit in the U.K.). It was also covered by numerous people, including Chad & Jeremy. There was a documentary released in 2010 about his life and the times of the anti-war movement, folk song revival, and polical activism of the 1960s titled Phil Ochs: There but for Fortune. Among his other well-known songs are “Changes,” “Crucifixion,” Draft Dodger Rag,” “Love Me, I’m a Liberal,” Outside of a Small Circle of Friends,” and “Power and the Glory,” to name a few.

Phil Ochs committed suicide in 1976 at the age of 35. He had struggled with alcoholism and had been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Here are the lyrics to “I Ain’t Marching Anymore” by Phil Ochs:

“Oh, I marched to the battle of New Orleans
At the end of the early British war
The young land started growing
The young blood started flowing
But I ain’t marching anymore

For I’ve killed my share of Indians
In a thousand different fights
I was there at the Little Big Horn
I heard many men lying, I saw many more dying
But I ain’t marching anymore

It’s always the old to lead us to the wars
It’s always the young to fall
Now look at all we’ve won with the saber and the gun
Tell me is it worth it all

For I stole California from the Mexican land
Fought in the bloody Civil War
Yes, I even killed my brothers
And so many others
But I ain’t marching anymore

For I marched to the battles of the German trench
In a war that was bound to end all wars
Oh, I must have killed a million men
And now they want me back again
But I ain’t marching anymore

It’s always the old to lead us to the wars
It’s always the young to fall
Now look at all we’ve won with the saber and the gun
Tell me is it worth it all

For I flew the final mission in the Japanese sky
Set off the mighty mushroom roar
When I saw the cities burning
I knew that I was learning
That I ain’t marching anymore

Now the labor leader’s screamin’
When they close the missile plants
United Fruit screams at the Cuban shore
Call it, Peace, or call it, Treason
Call it, Love, or call it, Reason
But I ain’t marching anymore
No, I ain’t marching anymore”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “I Ain’t Marching Anymore” by Phil Ochs.