Love Me . . . I'm a Liberal

Recently someone reminded me of Phil Ochs. I've not delved too deeply into his life and achievements but I know he was a Folk music purist, at least during his most productive years, as well as possibly the most prolific producer of protests songs or topical songs as he termed them... which says quite a lot. 

I found the following 1965 song in Broadside Issue #147, published in Dec. 1983 (Ochs died in 1976).  Reading the lyrics, then finding and listening to them, it's not an easy thing determining what he was trying to accomplish, so I only have my own impressions. The song is:



Now Phil Och's was indeed a liberal himself as well as  a social activist and a man of strong convictions. My take is that in this song he makes fun of liberals, or at least people who claim to be liberal when it's convenient.  With this "the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot" accusation, one might say this tune was a Paine for some.   At any rate, Ochs got his point across with humor rather than with accusations.  This song is both a fun and poignant introduction to this protest...I mean topical... singer-songwriter. 

This guy did an update on Ochs song in 2016... and did a fantastic job:

unfollow

This "update" is a little nuttier, but ...well, why not?

mhm.

nope no nonononnoonono heck nonoonnoono

a man of few (intelligible) words.

How can tears run down your spine?

and does he say “dykes of the American revolution “ at 1:29?

Oh Phil , what’s up with you.

oh my gosh noooooo

I wondered the exact same thing, but figured it was meant to be nonsensical. 

tears down ur spine 😢is the most common problem in life

Welcome to Sarah's music thread.... may all your strings have good vibes.

I always enjoy your posts when I see them. Thought provoking as well as entertaining. I've heard the term "fair weather liberal" thrown around in this context. Perhaps one phrase inspired the other. Appreciate the sheet music you included.

Thanks. I really appreciate such comments.

I think a lot of this has been carried on with the modern phrase "virtue signalling" which is sometimes overused and sometimes appropriate. Corporations putting up pride flags during pride month is a clear example of appropriate use of the term, and I think Phil would have something to say about that. Many of his examples seem relevant still today. It's difficult to say what I really think about it without breaking too many chess.com rules about politics haha. In any case I enjoyed the song.

I'd never encountered the term "virtue signaling" before... I had to google it. 
I do feel that's the behavior Ochs was targeting - not really hypocritical, but not really committed either