Tribute to my father - Phil Ochs - When Im Gone

[THEwaterBOY1934]

R.I.P. I would miss my dad so much I hope he has a nice life

[AndyBaronov]

Sorry about your dad. hope he turns up. (metaphorically)

[Myrna4Loy]

this was the idol of my father, he is 75 now. My mother heard this when she cleande the windows and for me phil ochs was so familiar like nothing else in the late 60s.

this song was and is my favourite. i am from germany and when i was young i only understand a few what phil was talking about here, but i could feel what it was. i learned to live for the moment, to became aware for the past and to build the future till the moment i will die.

[tc030564]

sorry to hear this its horrific, just cant imagine what can make anybody enter another mans home and kill him like that . well done youngman for not seeking vengence.

[TheCochyn]

We're still here, these people you moved the first time round............... still sorry for your loss - we know you're still grieving - a lot of us have been there. So- thanks once more..........................­...I won't be able to tell you that I appreciate this, when I'm gone. So - yes - I guess I'll have to do it whilst I'm here.......... L xxx

[alimkanji]

may god bless him :)

[DirkjeA]

Your father must have been a warm and kind spirit for bringing up a son that made him such a moving tribute. May cherishing your great memories of him comfort you.

[Bannedforfun]

No disrespect to Phil Ochs, I know the song is his, but I think Ani Difranco's version is better for me. Feels more reflective.

[Machinima92]

I am so so so sorry for you, Man that must've been horrific. No-one deserves to die like that, They should die with thier family, old and happy.

[someoneqza]

I feel SO dam sorry for you hope this song made you feel a bit better

[qptz]

Your Dad & Phil Ochs - I never met either of them. That's a pity - I would have enjoyed that meeting. Thanks for the post - It reminded me just how much we need people like them.

It's true though - There are no rehearsals - This is it. We do it now, or we never do it!

[rikiritter]

I pass this perfect poem on from your dad to my children. How proud your father must be to know that his son knew the man he was.

[gdoolittle100]

So sorry for your loss and your pain. A beautiful song for a beautiful tribute.

[Qvetcher]

Phil Ochs was an American Hero. His music helped to guide us through the 1960's.

He, along with Dylan and many others charted the course of those of us who knew that change was necessary. Their music encouraged us on a daily basis.

I thank "The Universal Being" for giving us men such as Phil Ochs. (RIP,,Phil)

[ARP7777777]

@Qvetcher He, and the speakers of the truth, will overcome the speakers of darkness. . . This I believe in my soul! If America were burned and blasted, subjugated to tyrants with no mercy, still it would survive. Nations exist as long as they do and not one day more.

[BELIEVERS777]

who is the person who disliked, they just need to..... just not dislike..... do they have a heart?

[isingbeast]

the guy who disliked this deserves to die much more than your dad. I am truly sorry for your loss.

[theDiyBlog]

Wow, there are not many words .... great tribute and sorry for your lose !!!

[OMGDeBest]

Phil's gone but his music lives .... your dad's gone but his spirit lives through you and you'll pass it on thru your children.... such is the great circle of life.

[3000miguelcapone]

fuckin´ gay wankers you are..........

[ARP7777777]

@3000miguelcapone You. . . hard hearted skin-flint!

[TheDookie58]

i was just a pup when phil departed his earthly existence,but i still remember how much he meant to me and how much i relied on his music when my grandfather died..you still live in my memory phil..

[bilbocroft]

Aren't you guys putting words (or interpretations) into Phil Ochs' mouth. . . How or where or, most importantly, Why did God come into this? Is he not saying "When I'm gone. . . .. I'm Gone!!!!!". Isn't this an acceptance of reality?

[11xzxzxz]

@bilbocroft Exactly bibocroft! Phil was also an Atheist and when the best of us are not given credit for what we write or say and it is twisted well for "god's sake"! I do not necessarily including myself in the good - this is my acceptance of the reality of me - evolution, biology, environment makes me far from perfect. And I just also want to say that Phil was not an Anarchist either. He was manic-depressive, that is for sure. Find a cure for that and all mental diseases.

[rbheiss]

It is with a sad heart that I wander in here looking for a Phil Ochs song and find out about the inhuman fate of your father. Nobody should leave this world that way. My feelings are with you at the moment I type this message. Apparently my message this evening is close to two years removed from the tragic event you allude to but love knows no time and if we evolved out of slime like Darwin said why would these feelings exist in us? Love proves heaven and you will see your dad again

Rolland

[rdvqc]

Live for today! Stop putting it off to the "next life".

Don't just live for yourself - the real joy in life comes from the folks around you - not the stuff you are burying yourself with.

[leela1970]

So sorry about your father's violent death...my heart goes out to you and your family...God Bless

[dldwiggins]

First heard this at a folk festival at Beaulieu in England (yeah we had them too). It was pouring rain, the lighting went out, the PA system was dodgy and yet Phil sang like the blessed with only two harsh lights that got dragged in illuminating the stage.

And he sang "I'll have to do it while I'm here. . . "

I never got more from any performance.

[thetruewindrunner]

The essence of the conveyance of music to spirituality

[15legit15]

im sorry bro. :(

[XxTomx69X]

I'm srry about Ur loss. May Ur father rest in peace and let the scum who did this to Ur father face justice.

[MrDanclarkmusic]

I'm going to learn this song. Thank you for posting it. And thank you Phil for writing it.

[LeeMike233]

If you are a huge Phil Ochs, there is a new movie out called "there but for fortune"which is a biography of Phil Ochs. I saw it yesterday and I am totally blown away what an amazing person he was. I wish I could have seen him when he was alive.

[ABevs1]

This song sums a lot of atheist feelings. This quote by Carl Sagan kind of goes along with it. "The world is so exquisite with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there's little good evidence. Far better it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides."

[rbheiss]

@ABevs1 What does this have really to do with atheist feelings? Even Sagan himself should have understood one important law of physics... energy never dies, it just changes form. We are energy and therefore we do not die.... we merely change form. I agree with you about being grateful for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides. Well, you are a thinker. I can discern that. Think upon my words here and reevaluate your position.

All the best,

Rolland B. Heiss

[ABevs1]

@rbheiss It has to do with atheist's feelings because most believe in living for today just like the song says. I'm not sure what you don't get about my comment. You're right, we do just change form but not into the form you're thinking of. We become energy in a different way. We become fuel for the earth. Just because we evolved does not mean that feelings or love etc. can't exist naturally. Continued in next comment...

[ABevs1]

@rbheiss Continued from last comment...I don't want to start a huge debate here but just because we might not be able to understand everything yet doesn't mean that it's proof of god. People didn't used to understand weather and they said that weather was proof of god but now we know they were just ignorant. Same with diseases etc. Using god as an explanation simply raises more question instead of answers. What god? What is god like? Where did god come from? How did god get these powers? etc.

[jamiegtr2007]

One of my favourites of Phil's. Phil, "this world was never meant for someone as beautiful as you" (9to borrow from "Vincent"

[OMGDeBest]

Phil was an Amazing Man... Your father had good taste. Hopefully keep his spirit alive from the special times you spent together.

[fairump2003]

Sorry for your loss. Great song.

[puelemueix]

God Bless You...God Bless Phil Ochs for capturing this feeling and putting it to song

[tomo1911]

Sorry for your loss.

And hope what left for you is all warm memory with him.

[xXHalo3Xx11]

Beautiful I really am crying :'( I'm so sorry for your loss

[beccita]

Beautiful song, so sorry for your loss

[SteverinoCanEat]

Simply Brilliant !

Simple, yet incredibly deep.

[meaford12]

sorry for your loss, my favorite Phil Ochs song

[Snipes453]

Im so sorry for your loss take care:(

[guardemdog]

I'm so sorry for your loss. There is nothing to say, but take care of yourself my sweet.

[amimillie]

God bless you and Phil forever

[JackGibney]

Thank you for this song. It helped change my life and decide to be someone and make my contribution every day. I am sorry for your loss.

[mgturn99]

Beautiful!

[MattinTexas]

Phil left this world when I was 16, and living in a very rural area I never heard him. Thanks to folks like you all who post these videos, I've been blessed to hear his music. He truly was a gifted, prophetic singer. His songs are even more relevant today. He certainly knew how to cut to the core of issues, and do it in a convincing, non-threatening way, all the while making his point very clear.

I only wish he was still around. No one has ably picked up where he left off. Truly sad.

[TheEarlBounty]

I have listened to this song again and again and again. It just gets better. There is a better place, a better world, with no politics, and no religeon too. This song gives a tiny insight into the better world. Thank You Phil for living, in spite of the pain and anguish your life brought. Your life brings real hope.

[meaford12]

sorry to hear about your father, this is my favorite Phil Ochs song, It will be played at my funeral

[paschal421]

and while i'm here

miss you phil

[SteverinoCanEat]

My heartfelt sorrow for the loss of your dad. You were very blessed to have shared such wonderful times together...his memory will provide you with strength, love and support all your days. I wish I could have shared such wonderful experiences with my dad befoe he passed.

[slicknicknirvana]

I learned about this song when reading a book by Breece DJ Pancake,a writer who killed himself at age 26.This was one of his favorite songs.I like it too.

[11xzxzxz]

Sorry for your great loss, when Phil died it was a great loss for some many, and me especially. Love to you.

[GDUNK49]

This tribute to your Father speaks volumes about him.It also shows that he was a loving,nurturing and caring Father.I'm sure your Father is very proud of you.As a Vietnam Veteran i was very fortunate.I had a Father that loved me,was there for me in bad times and taught me well.I'm so sorry for your loss.God Bless You

[TheCochyn]

I listen to Phil all the time, and to this song most of all. Recently, I thought I'd have to plan my own funeral - trying to be witty and amusing about it now, but this time last week I was really scared. I thought about my late dad a lot, and what we've all done, in our short lives. Your tribute to your dad is clearly heartfelt, in some ways quite simple, and in others, profound and mesmerising.

I don't know you, of course, but I'm sorry for your loss. Let's say: Cheers, dad! every day.......

[TheEarlBounty]

I did respond seven months ago, to say that this song means a lot to me. But then, every few weeks, I listen to it again and again and it means more and more. I guess I 'll have to do it, I guess I'll have To do it, and I'll guess I have to listen one more time.

[JepardyGo]

My father wrote the lyrics to this in a letter to his little son, my older brother, who had had leucemia. He survived. I am so happy for it. Reading that old letter right before made tears show up in my eyes, but when I then heard the actual song I couldn't stop them. I can't. This is so beautiful ...

[LanguorousLass]

Your dad sounds like a wonderful man. I can't imagine a lovelier tribute. And I'm sure he'd be proud of you for carrying the message. Thanks so much for posting this.

[juane1l]

i love this song, i have a live version, its nice

[truevoiceofsanity]

Sorry about your dad getting murdered. Glad song works for you.

I find these kind of songs a bit depressing but that's just me.

[AnarchistOpposition]

@IrishandFolkmusic Yes. I used the song as a tribute to MY father.

[empirepromotions]

@AnarchistOpposition so sad for your dear loss

[MattinTexas]

@AnarchistOpposition

Wow, I just realized your dad was 2 years younger than me. I am so sorry for your loss - he was still in the prime of his life. I lost my dad in 1989, but not in the tragic circumstances you did. Your dad must have been a wonderful man if this beautiful song is a fitting tribute. Keep his memory close and fresh - it will guide you in ways you can't yet imagine. Once the pain finally recedes, you will have a lifetime of cherished memories. Peace to you, Anarchist.

[AmateurPhilosopher85]

Great song, very meaningful. You are lucky to have established a connection with this kind of music and your dad. I'm sure there are many great memories you can share.

[mussman717word]

If your dad introduced you to this kind of music and politics, he must have been a good man. God bless him and I'm very sorry for your loss.

[94lukepl]

@mussman717word MY BAD! I DID NOT MEAN TO GIVE IT THUMBS DOWN!!!

Gittery hands, thumbs up all the way. THis is beautiful, and I coudn't agree more mussman.

[karinablacktie]

I hope this post helps keep the memory of your father alive. So few songs have the emotional impact of this one. We all have to do it while we're here.

[bridgeTrolls]

this song always brings back nostalgia of my dearly departed Boy Scout Master. 15 years spent at his side, as I grew from a "boy leading boys" to the man I am today - and one weekend a month we went camping and listened to Phil Ochs until our ears bled. This song accentuates perfectly all the sadness one experiences when a loved one passes away

We can only hope to gain strength from the courage of one another =)

[AnarchistOpposition]

Your kind words are appreciated.

[doctorpsycho1960]

@bridgeTrolls If my Scoutmaster had played Phil Ochs, I might have stayed in the Scouts, and then I might not have made such a botch of serving in the Navy, and where would I be now...?

But at least I did find Phil Ochs eventually, and I had the benefit of that, and a playing of this song for the people close to me is all the memorial or funeral I will ever want.

[dottslash]

Beautiful song, so sorry for your loss.....

[dottslash]

@dottslash I still come back here and listen to this song and read the comments.

Hope you're ok AO, I care too...

[Literatureisjustice]

Yes i went through a rough past 2 and u are right this music if for the healing, love yourself=)

[nlrebels1111]

im sorry for your loss i live in the near by subdivision horizon metows i herd the news and i went to go check it out very sad he is very missed by the people around him

[kkhan1981]

I don't know you, but I'm very sorry for your loss. Peace.

[wirral45]

My favourite Phil Ochs song too. Thanks for posting.

[TheEarlBounty]

What a fantastic song, thanks and thanks again. If only Phil Ochs had known before he was gone how much his music meant to us. What a loss. Live in peace.

[94lukepl]

@TheEarlBounty I dreamed I saw Phil Ochs last night, I said "Phil you're 34 years dead," "I never died," said he... "I never died said he."

So long as this song does what it does and has the impact that it can have, so long as his beautiful voice inspires others to actions he lives on in all of us, he never died. Phil killed Phil, he couldn't kill Phil's music.

[VeganaExPuta]

In all my decades -- especially those of active war-protesting -- this song still remains one of my favorite pieces of music (and I do include all styles of music).

Phil Ochs was a major hero of mine, and I saw him perform in The Village coffeehouses whenever I possibly could. To this day, I miss him immensely.

To YOU, dear AO, my heart is bleeding for you. I know and understand the pain, the dismay, the horror, the sadness, the overwhelming grief and anger and everything else. I care.

[AnarchistOpposition]

Thanks man, its really appreciated.

[nomiclas]

@VeganaExPuta i learned how my father thought and how maligned he had been when i was a child.i heard what people were saying and for years i disrespected him.when i finally figured out that there are some people who say things have to feel ok about themselves must put someone down.one i did finally understand what a great gentle man my father was,i had a great time with him and we enjoyed our last years together.

[plaetoe]

I am sorry for your loss. This has always been my favorite Phil Ochs song. It's a very human song - if that makes sense. I don't know how else to express it.

[Rosy22898]

this is so nice ryan!!!! ur making me cry!

[l3ft0v3rcr4ck]

my condolences to you and your family.

[woodsofodin]

I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. *hugs*

[organdva]

My sincere regrets.

[Baconthief1]

sorry for your loss

[Truthisnonexistant]

Great song, sorry for your loss.