Rejected by his record company (Columbia) Mr. Cash was picked up by a young producer who still thought he had a lot to offer. He did indeed, and the America 1 to America 5 albums, were arguably, the best work of his career. This recording sums up his life and his daughter Rosanne said she was shocked when she saw the video because it exposed everything about the inner workings and disappointments of his life. Amazing song and video.
I well remember the ceaseless campaigning that we had to do in the UK in the 1950's and 1960's to get hanging abolished. Eventually under Harold Wilson, see post below, we achieved success.
Since then, it is true to say that unless we had stopped hanging, that there wold have been dozens of men and woman sent to their death, who have subsequently been released because of their innocence. Some of these have unfortunately spent a long time in jail and, although, they have received large sums of compensation, to recompense, some are mentally scarred for life.
This boy knew it was wrong in the USA and made his own protest. Listen, but not the children, too horrific.
Also go to http://abolition.org/ and support their campaign as I will be doing with every fibre in my body.
This young man was a patriot and loved the American values of decency, loyalty, love of country and above all the truth. But he was betrayed by Richard Nixon and Mayor Daley. He was constantly harassed by the FBI, who had a very thick file on him but he fought back through his energy and his only weapon his music.
Disillusioned and abandoned by many of his so called friends like Bob Dylan, his dreams shattered, he became a drug user, drank a lot and became schizophrenic. He wandered around New York looking like a tramp and called himself John Train. Eventually he had enough and hanged himself, in his sister's home, at a tragically early age.
However his music remains and he has an ever growing fan base around the world. He wrote some of the most hauntingly beautiful music that I have ever heard - a gift that generations will cherish, as his music is timeless.
The following song was the last recording that he ever made. He said cherio to the crew in the recording studio and the production manager, concerned at his state of mind asked him what he would be doing. He replied, "I'll be around" and went away and hanged himself. He had had enough. Fought his fight and lost.
But he won and the world pays homage to what he stood up for and the legendary music.
This is sadly one of his last videos, singing the first chorus of the song. Look at the strain on the man's face:-
and here are the lyrics:-
Changes By Phil Ochs Capo 1st fret Intro: G/A/D/Em/G/A/F#m/Bm/Em/A/D/Em/A/D G A D Em Sit by my side, come as close as the air, G A F#m Share in a memory of gray; Bm Em A D And wander in my words, dream about the pictures Em A D That I play of changes. Green leaves of summer turn red in the fall To brown and to yellow they fade. And then they have to die, trapped within the circle time parade of changes. Scenes of my young years were warm in my mind, Visions of shadows that shine. 'Til one day I returned and found they were the Victims of the vines of changes. The world's spinning madly, it drifts in the dark Swings through a hollow of haze, A race around the stars, a journey through The universe ablaze with changes. Moments of magic will glow in the night All fears of the forest are gone But when the morning breaks they're swept away by Golden drops of dawn, of changes. Passions will part to a strange melody. As fires will sometimes burn cold. Like petals in the wind, we're puppets to the silver strings of souls, of changes. Your tears will be trembling, now we're somewhere else, One last cup of wine we will pour And I'll kiss you one more time, and leave you on the rolling river shores of changes. (repeat first verse)
On the news tonight, it said that the coalition had been provided with a Rough Tour guide of Iraq, dated 1991, as a guide for the military to carry out their invasion. Rather reminds me of when I was a spy at GCHQ. In those far off days I was the desk officer monitoring Franco's Espania. In case they invaded Gibralter our troops were to be provided with second world war photographs of Algeciras to guide them ashore. Laugh, ask agent Hoots and agent Speks to verify this! Gorditstoughbeingpm
Above is a picture of old Europe from an even older Europe in Kernow. They push money down the throats of new Europe to support their crimes in Iraq and elsewhere in an attempt to divide and rule. But all of Europe has been ravaged for generations by war and barbarism. We have learnt our lesson. The USA is losing yet another war. When will these little children, toting their guns everywhere, learn about common decent humanity? Gordoff!
should retire and declare that there is no successor. The old bird has done her job with dignity but the thought of having the adulterers Charley and Camilla on the throne fills me with revulsion. I totally agree with this bloke http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/graham_smith/2007/10/royally_upset.html Good night any may your lord be with you. Gordonstarinthenorth
These two bustards, together with Tory Blair, have wrought untold death and sorrow on the Iraqi people. Now The American twosome are threating Iran. Where were these simpletons educated? Neither of them has the slightest idea about politics in the middle east. That meal twosome make me puke.
Here you will see occasional rants about the world, Birmingham City F.C. , Jack London, Phil Ochs, Johnny Cash, Books and Music and my beloved Kernow. And lots about nothing.
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