Quote

Step outside the guidelines of the official umpires and make your own rules and your own reality.

Phil Ochs

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Phil Ochs
Age: 35 †
Born: 1940
Born: December 19
Died: 1976
Died: April 9
Guitarist
Poet
Singer
Singer-Songwriter
Songwriter
El Paso
Texas
Philip David Ochs
Officials
Rules
Sea
Step
Outside
Steps
Guidelines
Reality
Umpires
Make
Official

More quotes by Phil Ochs

Image
Maybe we should raise our voices, ask somebody why. But demonstrations are a drag, besides we're much too high.
Phil Ochs
Image
The only possibility in the United States for a humane society would be a revolution with Elvis Presley as leader.
Phil Ochs
Image
In the state of Mississippi, Many Years Ago, a boy of 14 years got a taste of Southern law.
Phil Ochs
Image
In every political community there are varying shades of political opinion. One of the shadiest of these is the liberals. An outspoken group on many subjects. Ten degrees to the left of center in good times. Ten degrees to the right of center if it affects them personally. Here, then, is a lesson in safe logic.
Phil Ochs
Image
In such ugly times, the only true protest is beauty.
Phil Ochs
Image
Does defending liberalism leave you friendless and perhaps wondering about your breath?
Phil Ochs
Image
Oh you tell me that there's danger to the land you call your own, And you watch them build the war machine right beside your home, And you tell me that you're ready to go marchin' to the war, I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?
Phil Ochs
Image
Show me a country where the bombs had to fallShow me the ruins of buildings so tallAnd I'll show you a young landWith many reasons whyThere but for fortune, go you or IYou or I.
Phil Ochs
Image
In the courtroom, watch the balance of the scalesIf the price is right, there's time for more appealsThe strings are pulled, the switch is stayedThe finest lawyers fees are paidAnd a rich man never died upon the chair
Phil Ochs
Image
I write all my own songs and they are just simple melodies with a lot of lyrics. They usually have to do with current events and what is going on in the news. You can call them topical songs, songs about the news, and then developing into more philosophical songs later.
Phil Ochs
Image
Show me the prison, Show me the jail, Show me the prisoner whose life has gone stale. And I'll show you a young man with so many reasons why And there, but for fortune, go you or I.
Phil Ochs
Image
God isn't dead - he's just missing in action.
Phil Ochs
Image
The fortunes of the entire world may well ride on the ability of young Americans to face the responsibilities of an old America gone mad.
Phil Ochs
Image
There is an urgent need for Americans to look deeply into themselves and their actions, and musical poetry is perhaps the most effective mirror available. Every newspaper headline is a potential song.
Phil Ochs
Image
Love is a rainbow curving down from the sky, falling crystals of color, shades of warm that never die.
Phil Ochs
Image
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?
Phil Ochs
Image
I like Hitler, jolly jolly Hitler.
Phil Ochs
Image
It is wrong to expect a reward for your struggles. The reward is the act of struggle itself, not what you win.
Phil Ochs
Image
Beneath the greatest love lies a hurricane of hate.
Phil Ochs
Image
One legged veterans will greet the dawn, and they're whistling marches as they mow the lawn, and the gargoyles on sit and grieve.
Phil Ochs