Life changing song from the '60s
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This song, like Campaign Ads, was recorded with guitar and vocal at the same time. For NaSoAlMo, you are allowed to have one cover song. I chose this one because this song literally changed my life and possibly saved my life.
A friend of mine loaned me two albums in 1969: Gordon Lightfoot’s first album and "Phil Ochs In Concert." I was not doing well in college and was considering the possibility of losing my student draft deferment and getting drafted. I had been somewhat antiwar at the time, but not particularly committed to it. When I heard this song, it crystallized my feelings, and I became a radical antiwar activist. I started playing at coffeehouses and antiwar rallies, doing a lot of songs by Phil Ochs, who is considered by most to be the premier topical songwriter, along with Tom Paxton.
When I went before my Draft Board to defend my Conscientious Objector application, I was asked if I had ever demonstrated my beliefs in public. I told them that I sang these songs at coffeehouses and rallies. They asked me to sing one of them. To my shame, I said I couldn’t sing one without my guitar, but I recited the lyrics to this song. They immediately approved my application.
Phil Ochs lived a troubled life, and after struggling with clinical depression for years, hanged himself in his sister’s house at the age of 35. This country could have used him this century. I miss you, Phil.
Is There Anybody Here by Phil Ochs
Is there anybody here, who’d like to change his clothes into a uniform?
Is there anybody here, who thinks they’re only serving out a raging storm?
Is there anybody here with glory in his eyes,
Loyal to the end, whose duty is to die?
Chorus:
I wanna see him, I wanna wish him luck. I want to shake his hand.
Wanna call his name, put a medal on the man.
Is there anybody here who’d like to wrap the flag around an early grave?
Is there anybody here who thinks there sittin’ taller on a battle wave?
Is there anybody here who’d like to do his part,
Soldier to the world and hero to his heart?
Chorus
Bridge:
Is there anybody here; proud in the parade,
Who’d like to give a cheer and show they’re not afraid/
I’d like to ask him what he’s trying to defend.
I’d like to ask him what he thinks he’s gonna win.
Is there anybody here who thinks that following the orders takes away the blame?
Is there anybody here who wouldn’t mind a murder by another name.
Is there anybody here whose pride is on the line,
With the honor of the brave and the courage of the blind?
Chorus
Repeat Bridge, 3rd Verse, Chorus
Put a medal on the man.