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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    An album of songs written by Phil Ochs, including well-known and obscure ones. Phil Ochs was known as a brilliant topical / political songwriter - or less flatteringly, a "protest singer." But he understood that the best protest isn't necessarily a political song, but a great song that stands the test of time, that shows how marvelous and unstoppable our creativity and humanity can be.

    Includes unlimited streaming of This is Absolutely Real:Visions and Versions of Phil Ochs via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days

      $15 USD or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 USD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

  • Full Digital Discography

    9
    releases

    Get all 9 Pat Wictor releases available on Bandcamp and save 15%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of FLARE, Waiting For The Water, Non-album Tracks, counterpoise, This is Absolutely Real:Visions and Versions of Phil Ochs, Living Ever-Lovin' Live, Sunset Waltz, Heaven Is So High...And I'm So Far Down, and 1 more. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $107.95 USD or more (15% OFF)

     

lyrics

Outside the cats are scratching, Inside the doors are latching
On the room, the greedy gloom, the trial is revealed
Police are six feet deep, with switchblades in their teeth
So no one leaves and they all believe
This is absolutely real, yes, it's real
And the Sergeant says, "Are you ready, boys?
Get ready, boys.
Aim... And Fire...

Order in the court, People ready for the sport
They squirm and squeak and lick their beaks, and grease their feathers down
Everybody rise, Judge is here with bathroom eyes
A Grizzly bear, he hugs his chair
And the greedy gavel pounds, yes, it pounds
And the Sergeant says, "Are you ready, boys?
Get ready, boys
Aim... And Fire...

In the dungeon he falls, writing appeals upon the wall
And the priest in prayer is not even there, so precious is his time
To the stake he's tied, the swallows sing, the triggers slide
He bids goodbye to the watery sky that plunges from his mind, from his mind
And the Sergeant says, "Are you ready, boys?
Get ready, boys
Aim... And Fire...

credits

from This is Absolutely Real​:​Visions and Versions of Phil Ochs, released March 1, 2017
PW: acoustic and electric guitars, vocals
Chico Huff: bass
Cheryl Prashker: drums
spectator chorus: Ciara Barratt, Glenn Barratt, Lizanne Knott, PW
written by Phil Ochs (Barricade Music Inc./ASCAP, admin. by Almo Music Corp)

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Pat Wictor Brooklyn, New York

Grounded in rural blues and gospel traditions, Pat Wictor's lean, poetic songs and expressive guitar playing are seasoned with jazz, pop, improvisational surprise, and philosophy. He first gained attention as an acoustic lap slide guitarist, and a sought-after collaborator and session musician. His evolving projects push his own musical boundaries ever outward ... more

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