Phil Ochs - The Power and The Glory [with "controversial" verse] (1963)

[@gillygil8747]

My sixth grade teachers taught us to sing one song during our entire year. This was it. It was 1972. The "controversial" verse was included. Much respect for Phil Ochs.

[@jf2353]

Your teacher was a special person.

[@solidaritytime3650]

Respect for Phil ochs goes without saying-but mad fucking respect for your 6th grade professor

[@NotHarpoGroucho]

Kinda cringe tbh. Shouldn’t bring up politics in class period.

[@joshcostlow]

@@NotHarpoGroucho that's how we end up with the uneducated voters we have now.

[@kingmerlyn4615]

😭😭😭😭God bless your teacher. Phil was the one of the greatest of men. His voice and lyrics are that of a genius.

[@jamesentenman9769]

He's right up there with Woody Guthrie in his quest for bettering humanity. He left us way to soon. What a voice.

[@nbenefiel]

It seemed that when his voice was destroyed, he just lost everything.

[@jamesentenman9769]

@@nbenefiel What a shame to an illustrious career. I still think he was one of the greatest folk composers and singer of our time.

[@bcg911]

Great voice and even greater songs! 👍👍👍

[@woofy9977]

Is he a leftist? I like his “I’m a liberal” song

[@roberthill799]

@woofy9977 Phil was rather far left though he was never a communist.

[@seliphgranvale1286]

Nobody called out the wealthy and the warmongers like Phil. And right to their faces. I'm grateful to my parents for introducing me to his music. If he were alive to today he'd have so much to sing about.

[@lydiahirsch3879]

It's weird that the last verse is called controversial, Phil Ochs has said many more controversial things than that

[@comradeneedham1480]

Lydia Hirsch it’s because he wasn’t allowed to release this version because of what he said in the last verse. He had to cut the last verse when it came to releasing it.

[@flasher6597]

@@comradeneedham1480 I guess freedom of speech Isn't so free......

[@comradeneedham1480]

Julies Caeser to true in the world we live in today

[@patighe]

@@comradeneedham1480 I hadn't heard that verse before. Striking how it fits our current circumstances.

[@comradeneedham1480]

patighe Phil was a man that was able to perfectly encapsulate the political problems at the time, so isn’t it quite shocking that they are still relevant. Just shows you how nothing’s really changed.

[@padraiggillon]

And once again, Phil reaches out to us from long ago. "You can stop them if you try."

[@nancylemon1880]

Thanks for your comment - I thought he said "You can't stop them if you try," and I like your words much better!

[@michaelmiller7160]

There is no stopping the far far Left, bent on diminishing us and helping or not stopping China, Russia, Iran, and Hamas. The schools and Left are full of sh.. and lacking logic. they want to destroy the US to create another Russia .. communism for those who think they know better than everyone. Case in Point: AOC, thank goodness the people saw through her

[@jamesbrown1581]

Phil Ochs was a communist so "you can't stop them" would be completely out of place for him. Doomerism is the opposite of what a socialist believes.

[@hans-rosakrause590]

@@woodland_hare Because we can't do it by ourselves. We got to organize, and he certainly did his best to try to mobalize people to action.

[@roberthill799]

@poplui If you are claiming Phil didn't try, you are woefully uninformed .

[@cormboy4177]

The Lyrics in case anyone wants them. Come and take a walk with me thru this green and growing land Walk thru the deserts and the mountains and the sand Walk thru the valleys and the rivers and the plains Walk thru the sun and walk thru the rain Here is a land full of power and glory Beauty that words cannot recall Oh her power shall rest on the strength of her freedom Her glory shall rest on us all (on us all) From Kansas, From Colorado, Kansas and the Carolinas too Virginia to Alaska, from the old to the new Texas and Ohio to the California shore Tell me, who could ask for more? Here is a land full of power and glory Beauty that words cannot recall Oh her power shall rest on the strength of her freedom Her glory shall rest on us all (on us all) Yet we’re only as rich as the poorest of her poor Only as free as the padlocked prison door Only as strong as our love for this land Only as tall as we stand Here is a land full of power and glory Beauty that words cannot recall Oh her power shall rest on the strength of her freedom Her glory shall rest on us all (on us all) But this land is still troubled by men who have to hate They twist away our freedom & twist away our fate Law is their weapon and treason is their cry We can stop them if we try Here is a land full of power and glory Beauty that words cannot recall Oh her power shall rest on the strength of her freedom Her glory shall rest on us all (on us all) Yes her glory shall rest on us all.

[@yvonnetomenga5726]

@Cormboy • Thanks for posting the lyrics. 👍

[@kaykay8100]

Thank you!

[@icaruscrane8846]

Thanks, 'cormboy'. The last two verses are spectacular. Where have all the flowers gone?

[@dougr.2398]

More true than ever before

[@frankhodge7654]

Thanks.

[@aerickson7321]

Phil’s “controversial” words are needed now more than ever. Phil is needed now more than ever.

[@SubmarinePirate1991]

It hurts how accurate this song still is

[@stevenmeyer9674]

Two years later, and it's worse than ever how accurate it is.

[@MCDreng]

The fascists never left us. It's a shame there's no higher quality version of this particular recording. It has a certain something that the studio version doesn't.

[@enclavesoldier8370]

Political extremists, from commies to nazies, will always envy the free and the brave

[@ffpr1]

Try kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2jSe313gMSWd6s

[@PHDWhom]

Fascist since 1492, don't get it twisted. fuck the so called united states.

[@Asta0125]

Really hurting feeling this one tonight.

[@joehill4094]

Solidarity ✊️

[@JimGlover1]

Theo Bikel gave me the words to the last verse and I gave it to Phil. He improved on it and I and the New Limelighters sang it as "Fear is their weapon and treason is their cry". My favorite verse

[@nbenefiel]

I loved your music.

[@JimGlover1]

@@nbenefiel Thank You!

[@leftys408]

Wish someone would do a movie of his life.

[@nbenefiel]

@@leftys408PBS did a documentary. I think it was called There but for fortune. It’s hard to find but it’s still around.

[@robertclark972]

Thank you for your service !

[@rogerfitzsimmons6476]

As much as I know about Phil, I had never heard that verse. I don't know if that recording was actually on the Broadside Tapes and I missed it, or what. But it is FRIGHTENINGLY prescient about our current Liar-In-Chief. Phil was candid about this song being inspired by Woody's "This Land."

[@trevorlambert4226]

It's not on the CD that was released some years back, but presumably there are many more recordings that never got published.

[@caijones156]

as with most protest singers, they or more correctly the publishers watered down the songs in public releases you also have the private property line which was taken out of "this land is my land"

[@cydkriletich6538]

His “Pleasures of the Harbor” album has some great music on it, including what I consider to be his masterpiece, which is “The Crucifixion.” He was a wonderful poet. If you haven’t had the good fortune to hear this album, and particularly this song, I highly recommend it. The best version I’ve heard of “The Crucifixion” is by a duo from the 1960’s called Jim and Jean; fabulous, but difficult to find. His death by self-hanging was so tragic. He suffered from mental health issues, as so many gifted artists do. Sadly, he came to believe there were no more causes worth writing and fighting for. If only he knew how much we could use his insightful poetry today. R.I.P. Mr. Ochs.

[@emsleywyatt3400]

The most deft use of alliteration I've ever seen, period.

[@cydkriletich6538]

@@emsleywyatt3400 As a singer who performed this song, I was ever grateful for that! Really helps to memorize the lyrics!

[@lorijohnson2348]

We could use a new national anthem. I vote for this song.

[@leland-bobpalmer4274]

I vote for "This Land is your land" a unity song instead of an old war song about bombs bursting

[@gillygil8747]

@@leland-bobpalmer4274 : Bombs bursting? Have you ever read the words to the French National Anthem? France was our first ally. Please remember, our anthem was written during the same war where our White House was burned to the ground. Just a conversation.

[@patighe]

@@gillygil8747 But it sucks. The words are trite and the melody is non-existent.

[@jessesaranow7724]

@@leland-bobpalmer4274 also, Woodie Guthrie had ties to the communist party which makes it even better.

[@Velveteenvision]

@@jessesaranow7724 agreed ✊🏽

[@steveglow1304]

We can stop them if we try. Hopeful words for troubled times

[@BritPopLivesOn72]

TRUMP

[@MickTheQuickk]

That's the verse that didn't make it onto the album version, nor did Phil perform it in person (at least to my knowledge).

[@GroomLeader]

FIGHT THE POWER!!

[@user-ch5qd3uz3l]

dunno why that verse was so controversial It's fuckin inspiring

[@oppothumbs1]

@@BritPopLivesOn72 Cortez the Killer

[@Manospaul]

The dislikes are from the people that don't know about music

[@msmwkc]

Aw, that little chuckle at :40 when he jumps the gun...

[@crypiddawg]

Charming 🤍

[@leland-bobpalmer4274]

One of the best, a TRUE patriot, in other words, an American with a conscience & heart & care for the PEOPLE who MAKE THIS COUNTRY ALWAYS GREAT {Though troubled}!

[@Nokorola]

Nice. A great song by a true American hero.

[@Starshadow]

Love this, thanks for posting it. I miss Phil Ochs and I think we really need his voice.

[@markhumphrey9109]

God bless Phil ochs.true patriate.the world dimmed with his passing.i miss him.got his songs,still...

[@sowhatdowop]

I think this song has, even more, meaning today than when it was written. I see this wonderful country becoming more Fascist every day. It's time to defend our Constitution from being destroyed by the 1%. Wow! Phil's songs always seem to get me worked up. I guess this means it's time to get off my butt and do what ever I can to make this world a better place.

[@gspice4592]

@DAX BESS more like.. america has been very fascist since the dawn of the usa hitler admired american treatment of the "lesser races"

[@oppothumbs1]

A little more fascist with Trump and a lot more fascism under AOC rule. We only got 12 years!

[@prussianmonarchist7110]

I mean, the democrats censoring of their political opponents, trying to overthrow the sitting president without just cause, or banning firearms sounds a hell of a lot like a fascist government to me...

[@pravda9646]

@@prussianmonarchist7110 lmao wtf are you doing here

[@joeyanddvaness666]

Fuck the constitution lmao our founding fathers are rolling over in their graves knowing we are too stupid to have come up with another one in 300 years. It was a starting point .... the whole country is different. Slavery was in the constitution..... why defend it. That piece of paper is not what makes America America. It us!

[@RobiBue]

This song rings still true today! Even more so!

[@howard264]

This song should be the national anthem for our great nation

[@JohnBrownDidNothingWrong]

I don’t know how Ochs wanted this song to come off but I’ve never interpreted it as being anti-American, in the sense that he hated America, but as an acknowledgment of Americas many shortcomings as well as its potential for greatness if it were to live up to it’s founding principles; it’s not a song that wants you to hate America; but simply ask us to live up to those founding principles of liberty and justice to realize it’s full potential. “Oh her power shall rest on the strength of her freedom Her glory shall rest on us all.”

[@hemanthnair1290]

It's actually incredibly patriotic, based on a genuine love of one's country, but acknowledging how it can be improved

[@janeweisner8364]

We sang this at Girl Scout camp in the 1960’s all the verses! Pete Seeger would sing this when he visited each summer.

[@brianbrick4110]

Thanks for posting this - love the extra verse. Does anyone else remember the Ralph Gleason PBS program where Ochs was the only guest; sang The War is Over and Tape from California, among others. I'd love to see that again ...

[@perfectlypurepinkpompompan3467]

VASTLY under-appreciated singer-songwriter and social satirist!!

[@pavelkochba9286]

Controversial verse? Where?? Since when is truth considered controversial?

[@Robb3348]

hey you're right, humanity isn't at all prone to splitting and polarization into simplistic bifurcations and using the poles thereof as a rationale for hating and killing. Thank God! Imagine if it wasn't that way...

[@Robb3348]

...in that parallel universe, KZbin comment sections would be full of sniping, trolling, and ad hominems as ways of avoiding rational, humane exchange of thoughts! I know, I know, hard to imagine

[@patighe]

Truth is always controversial. Lies are always widely accepted.

[@Hi_Brien]

Oh, if ever truth wasn't controversial...

[@midimusicforever]

Since always. "They hated him, because he spoke the truth".

[@dangalender8748]

Wow! I've never heard this before. Thanks for posting it.

[@randyrock6312]

So glad you like his music. Phil Ochs is way there in the American Folk tradition with such others as: Pete Seger, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Peter Paul and Mary and need I forget Bob Dillan.

[@MarthaT108]

Also, Eric Anderson, Dave Van Ronk, Doc Watson,Tom Paxton!

[@michaelscody]

And who can forget the Chad Mitchell Trio

[@teresathomley3703]

I kinda teared up. That was beautiful.

[@RickNowels1]

great song phil...you are missed.

[@nathanthanatos3743]

No; in today's times, that last verse is more patriotic than he thought it was. Fighting the faults you see in your country, to make it the best version of itself, stressing the importance of individuals.

[@landuit8577]

Exactly, genuine patriotism means giving enough of a shit to fight back when democracy is reduced to a lobby & freedom reduced to a buzzword

[@samgish6707]

Damn, I miss Phil Ochs. In the same way I miss Woody Guthrie, Brownie McGhee, The Weavers, Pete Seeger, et al.

[@triplucid3563]

Wonderful and sadly fitting for these days I hope in the end we shall shine above the evils and injustices like the Sun shines above a lovely day

[@Uslogisticsman]

Wow!!!!! Am grateful I found this!!!!!! Thank you thank you!!!

[@marisapunksmetals288]

I absolutely adore this man

[@rob.schwartz]

Thank you so much for this demo! So apt for the present day...

[@philveness8154]

Phil’s songs will never grow old. So 60 yeas after this song was written is America closer or further from being a land of “ power and glory”?

[@dipierro4]

THANKS for posting this. I was a fan when he was alive, but I never knew of that "land is still troubled" verse.

[@RangiferADV]

Listening to this song a week after Roe vs. Wade was repealed. The sentiment of this song absolutely nails how I've felt this week.

[@t.s9021]

Ochs has been a great help throughout these past few years, especially 2020. It's sad how many of his civil rights songs are still relevant. Here's to the State of Mississippi is particularly apt for the repealment of RvW: And here's to the laws of Mississippi Congressmen will gather In a circus of delay While the Constitution's drowning In an ocean of decay "Unwed mothers should be sterilized" I've even heard them say Yes, corruption can be classic In the Mississippi way Oh, here's to the land you've torn out the heart of Mississippi, find yourself another country to be part of

[@RangiferADV]

@@t.s9021 that's my second favorite song of his behind this one, it's sad really...

[@justicebeske5704]

I miss him, he was an amazing writer, signer and guitarist, I'm consistently impressed by how progressive and even revolutionary a lot of the ideas he talked about were, and I wish more people could hear what he had to say, because it still matters now.

[@anyataylor1486]

in agreement with person who wrote re her 6th grade teacher. Definitely a most special teacher. You were one very blessed student!

[@sydneygurewitzclemens9023]

So sad that we lost him young! This song is great, error and all.

[@dansorkin6985]

Wow, that was a great extra verse that got left out of the recorded version. The song in general and that extra verse, in particular, seem so timely in the Age of Trump.

[@fairhousing]

According to Ochs' sister at a recent Oct 2019 Phil Ochs Song Night, he left the final version -- which sadly is so timely today -- out of his recorded versions because he felt it wasn't as patriotic as the rest of the song.

[@Cailleach26]

even more relevant now

[@greglubow3298]

Song has the power to defeat the evil all around us. Just thinking about Danny Kalb, who played 2nd guitar on 'All the news that's fit to print' who passed in November 2022.

[@user-ch5qd3uz3l]

there is nothing more patriotic than challenging the concept of patriotism we miss you, phil we need you

[@matthewanderson9110]

Happy Independence Day. A true patriot acknowledges their countries problems and works hard to fix them.

[@inalike1789]

Great song. Truth.

[@thomasklugh4345]

One of my 7th grade teachers (in 1962) encouraged us all to memorize the first line of the Declaration of Independence, and I know it by heart to this day. I won't recite it here, but if you want to read it... you know where to look.

[@richardcoughlin8931]

If only Phil were alive today to raise our spirits with his song and fearless resolve to fight the good fight.

[@sluggoteacake]

controversial verse: But our land is still troubled by men who have to hate They twist away our freedom & they twist away our fate Fear is their weapon and treason is their cry We can stop them if we try

[@ffpr1]

It was "Law is their weapon and treason is their cry; you can stop them if you try."

[@anukteasdale3776]

You can stop them if you try. Legend.

[@Nerdskov]

I wish there was a 1 hour version of this.

[@randomchickadee]

It's been a few months since this comment, but just in case you didn't know, if you click on the gear button on the video there should be a 'loop video' option and you can listen to it as long as you'd like without having to skip back!

[@Nerdskov]

@@randomchickadee didnt know that thanks

[@weihangbi3881]

he is a beautiful guy

[@TheAnxietyCloset]

Good lord the "controversial" verse is depressingly accurate.

[@peterg9119]

Maybe 20 years ago, I heard a university marching band on TV perform a wonderful arrangement of Power & the Glory during half time of a football game, maybe the Orange Bowl. Does anyone else remember hearing this? Is there a recording/video anywhere? (Not the John Philip Sousa march of the same name!)

[@kingmerlyn4615]

We need this song played everywhere today. Our land has become dysfunctional. I know that for me this song still gives me hope for our nation and future.

[@howard264]

This song should be the national anthem

[@adamfranz3702]

Not sure when it *was* functional. The system seems to be acting exactly how it was intended

[@ninyaninjabrifsanovichthes45]

Beautiful

[@tedrowe0204]

Remember seeing him back in '67. A damn shame he's gone.

[@nbenefiel]

He was a genius.

[@imlistening1137]

Her power shall rest in the strength of our freedom… truer words never sung nor spoken…

[@49eguana]

phil really channeled his inner Woodie on this one!

[@thesuprisedbitch4077]

I totally see that now that you mention it

[@geogrehollis1869]

this song still resonates today.

[@teeemkay]

In light of what happened two months ago, I hate how prophetic that last verse is.

[@ffpr1]

Absolutely.

[@BenjaminWirtz]

"This Land is Your Land" and "Born in the USA" are often played at 4th of July Parties un-ironically, while they are intended to be completely ironic. "Power and Glory" is in a similar vein but is often overlooked, but while the other two seem a bit more cynical, this one is critical yet also potentially optimistic.

[@reedcoles1215]

true phil always said he was still optimistic about America when he wrote the song

[@buenaventuradurruti2231]

One day we'll all be free. Until then, let's keep humming this tune.

[@lekunberriko1]

I guess you know that Durruti was an illiterate criminal.

[@tripjokinglyunique81]

Right on!

[@LDCGrey24]

One of the best to ever do it. Rest In Peace

[@yarmouk334]

This song is beautiful.

[@Anthony-jc1ii]

Never heard this version before.

[@janeweisner8364]

We sang this at overnight summer Girl Scout camp (Camp Bonnie Brae) all verses.

[@CAFillekes]

I was there too and sang that!!!! Maybe with YOU! But learned it at EG Newell first. We sang it slower and with just a bit of an upbeat swing for most verses. Remember 'Flea'? (Flea Fly. Flea Fly Flow. Vista! and so forth)

[@presidentdudley731]

Come back Phil Ochs Come back to us now Tear your eyes from paradise And rise again somehow If you run into Jesus Maybe he can help us out Come back Phil Ochs to us now [no apologies to Steve and Woody]

[@potratzg]

Jesus? Jesus!

[@michaelmiller7160]

Twisting the Night Away.

[@jeffnorris7789]

Right now, that's my favorite song

[@cain3895]

Let Phil ochs never go unremembered!

[@nbenefiel]

We need Phil’s songs now.

[@justgivemethetruth]

Interesting ... even notice how today you can barely hear the lyrics to any popular music. How for example people go years and decades singing misheard and wrong lyrics to songs ... it is so funny how it makes people laugh. But, go back a ways and you hear music like this that is virtually all lyrics all out front, not hiding, no ashamed, making a point.

[@TSSmith]

If that verse is controversial to someone... I don't think they should listen to any more Phil Ochs

[@kylebrofslovski]

Nice version

[@coastlaw]

Love!

[@AlexxanderrII]

Yet we’re only as rich as the poorest of her poor

[@whitefiberman2094]

I love the nee verse. RIP Phil

[@flythedoug8576]

Great song.

[@russianfantastico]

Come and take a walk with me through this green and growing land Walk through the meadows and the mountains and the sand Walk through the valleys and the rivers and the plains Walk through the sun and walk through the rain Here is a land full of power and glory Beauty that words cannot recall Oh her power shall rest on the strength of her freedom Her glory shall rest on us all, on us all From Colorado, Kansas, and the Carolinas too Virginia and Alaska, from the old to the new Texas and Ohio and the California shore Tell me, who could ask for more? Yet she's only as rich as the poorest of her poor Only as free as the padlocked prison door Only as strong as our love for this land Only as tall as we stand Here is a land full of power and glory Beauty that words cannot recall Oh her power shall rest on the strength of her freedom Her glory shall rest on us all, on us all

[@thomascombs9859]

The relevance of Phil Ochs to times when freedoms are threatened are very apparent. Like now.m

[@206BenJammin]

And where pray tell is the controversy?

[@takakocaesar579]

The picture of Phil Ochs behind an american flag goes so hard

[@professionaltrainenthusias4945]

rest in peace ochs, we continue to fight for a better world!

[@avery9689]

It’s nice to see a song written by an actual patriot, instead of a nationalist.

[@DavidM-tg1oy]

This song would make an EXCELLENT national anthem! After Irving Berlin's classic God Bless America, this would be my choice. "Star Spangled Banner...not so much!

[@19eightyforeisnow]

Nothing changes entropy is our only constant...viva phil ochs

[@brandondavidson4085]

Very much one of the musical descendants of ol' Woody Guthrie. Big "This Land Is Your Land" vibes.

[@charlesklein298]

In all these years I've never heard that verse before. What with all Phil's activism, I wonder why he abandoned it.

[@Elayman1]

Is this from May 1963 ? If so, it wasn't there in the 1st recording in March or in the broadside printed edition June '63, so whether it was ever part of the original manuscript is unclear (unfortunately he didn't keep those).

[@brega6286]

I think he felt overwhelmed...out powered..and he couldn't take the pain.

[@ffpr1]

Update: A new remix version with orchestral instrumental and vocals including the "controversial" verse (with lyrics slightly different from this version) can now be heard at kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2jSe313gMSWd6s.

[@fairhousing]

Can't imagine why anybody would call the 4th verse controversial. Somehow Phil had the power to foresee a Presidential administration that builds its support on hage and twisting away our freedoms. Verse 4: "But this land is still troubled by men who have to hate; They twist away our freedom and twist away our fate. Law is their weapon, and treason is their cry, You can stop them if you try." If you get the chance to attend a Phil Ochs Song Night, the singers include all four verses.

[@GarrulousHerald]

Can you tell me a single freedom that has been taken away from you or anyone else from said administration? Or are you just desperately trying to make his words ring true even when they don't apply to your situation?

[@eddiewinters7184]

Ochs was the Woody Guthrie of the 60's.

[@Huwbacca]

I genuinely can't tell what's the controversial verse... Most people in power would hate them all.

[@oracle372]

1:42

[@grokeffer6226]

I'd never heard this before. I'm sure.

[@ethanp7247]

Clem Tholet's adaptation of this song brought me here

[@prussianmonarchist7110]

What a time it was.

[@baylorhalfacre1998]

Power to the working class!