I AIN'T MARCHING ANYMORE
(Phil Ochs)


Phil Ochs - 1965



Oh, I marched to the Battle of New Orleans
At the end of the early British war
The young land started growin'
The young blood started flowin'
But I ain't a-marchin' anymore

For I've killed my share of Indians
In a thousand different fights
I was there at the Little Big Horn
I heard many men lyin', I saw many more dyin'
But I ain't a-marchin' anymore

It's always the old to lead us to the wars
It's always the young to fall
Now look at all we've won with the sabre and the gun
Tell me is it worth it all

For I stole California from the Mexican land
Fought in the bloody Civil War
Yes, I even killed my brothers
And so many others
But I ain't a-marchin' anymore

For I marched to the battles of the German trench
In a war that was bound to end all wars
Oh, I must'a killed a million men
And now they want me back again
But I ain't a-marchin' anymore

It's always the old to lead us to the wars
It's always the young to fall
Now look at all we've won with the sabre and the gun
Tell me is it worth it all

For I flew the final mission in the Japanese sky
Set off the mighty mushroom roar
When I saw the cities burnin', I knew that I was learnin'
That I ain't a-marchin' anymore

Now the labour leader's screamin'
When they close the missile plants
United Fruit screams at the Cuban shore
Call it peace or call it treason
Call it love or call it reason
But I ain't a-marchin' anymore
No, I ain't a-marchin' anymore



(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - December 2018)