Henry's Songbook

There's no place in the world I belong when I'm gone
I won't know the right from the wrong when I'm gone
You won't find me singing these songs when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
Yes, I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

I won't see the passing of the time when I'm gone
The pleasures of love will not be mine when I'm gone
My hand can't pour the red wine when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
Yes, I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

I can't breathe the bracing air when I'm gone
I can't even worry about my cares when I'm gone
I won't be asked to do my share when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
Yes, I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

I can't be running from the rain when I'm gone
I can't even suffer from the pain when I'm gone
Can't say who's to praise or who's to blame when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
Yes, I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

I can't see the gold of the sun when I'm gone
The mornings and the evenings will be one when I'm gone
I can't be singing louder than the guns when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
Yes, I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

I can't tell the foolish from the wise when I'm gone
I can't question how when or why when I'm gone
I can't be laughing at their lies when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
Yes, I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

(Not used:
All my days won't be dances of delight when I'm gone
And the sands will be shifting from my sight when I'm gone
Can't add my name into the fight while I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here)

(as sung by Iain MacKintosh)

[1980:] Am 8. April 1976 [erhängte sich] Phil Ochs [...]. Monate zuvor hatte er schon seinen Tod in jenem Lebensjahr angekündigt. Noch zehn Jahre vorher hatte er ein Lied geschrieben ("When I'm Gone"), in dem er sich mit vielen Gründen gegen jede Resignation wandte und zum Engagement aufforderte, solange es möglich ist, weil es nachher eben zu spät ist. Ochs wurde 35 Jahre alt. (Gerd Schinkel, Folk Michel 14, S. 6)

[1988:] I'm often asked why I sing so many finger-pointing songs. Greg and Terry, of Magpie, taught me this Phil Ochs song, which supplies the perfect answer. (Notes Iain MacKintosh, 'Gentle Persuasion')