Phil Ochs 1963
While composing the song, Ochs told his sister Sonny that he was writing “the greatest song I’ll ever write”. Notably, anti-gay activist Anita Bryant was among those who covered the song, about which Ochs was amused.
Phil Ochs: Power and Glory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWcJVojSNk8
Come and take a walk with me through this green and growing land Walk through the meadows and the mountains and the sand Walk through the valleys and the rivers and the plains Walk through the sun and walk through the rain Chorus Here is a land full of power and glory Beauty that words cannot recall Oh our power shall rest on the strength of our freedom Glory shall rest on us all, on us all From Colorado, Kansas, and the Carolinas too Virginia and Alaska, from the old to the new Texas and Ohio and the California shore Tell me who could ask for more? But we’re only as rich as the poorest of the poor Only as free as a padlocked prison door Only as strong as our love for this land Only as tall as we stand Now again our land is troubled by men who have to hate They twist away our freedom and they twist away our fate Fear is their weapon and “treason” is their cry We can stop ’em if we try!