I AINT MARCHING ANYMORE

“I Ain’t Marching Anymore” was Phil Ochs‘ second LP, released on Elektra Records in

1965. Of the twelve originals, probably the most noted was the title track, with its

distinctive trilling guitar part, that spoke of a soldier sick of fighting.

Oh I marched to the battle of New Orleans

At the end of the early British war

The young land started growing

The young blood started flowing

But I ain’t 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 lying I saw many more dying

But I ain’t marchin’ anymore

chorus)

It’s always the old to lead us to the war

It’s always the young to fall

Now look at all we’ve won with the saber 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 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 have killed a million men

And now they want me back again

But I ain’t marchin’ anymore

(chorus)

For I flew the final mission in the Japanese sky

Set off the mighty mushroom roar

When I saw the cities burning I knew that I was learning

That I ain’t marchin’ anymore

Now the labor leader’s screamin’

Banjo Mountain