Wishful thinking στα μέσα των ’60s για τη λήξη του πολέμου του Βιετνάμ, που θα λάμβανε χώρα μια δεκαετία αργότερα. Ταυτόχρονα, ένα από τα πιο συνταρακτικά τραγούδια που έγραψε ποτέ ο Phil Ochs. Κυκλοφόρησε ως single το 1966, και δυο χρόνια αργότερα στο άλμπουμ Tape From California.

Wishful thinking in the mid-’60s about the end of the Vietnam War, which would take place a decade later. At the same time, one of the most stirring songs Phil Ochs has ever written. It was released as a single in 1966, and two years after on the album Tape From California.

Silent soldiers on a silver screen
Framed in fantasies and dragged in dream
Unpaid actors of the mystery
The mad director knows that freedom will not make you free
And what’s this got to do with me
I declare the war is over
It’s over, it’s over
Drums are drizzling on a grain of sand
Fading rhythms of a fading land
Prove your courage in the proud parade
Trust your leaders where mistakes are almost never made
And they’re afraid that I’m afraid
I’m afraid the war is over
It’s over, it’s over
Angry artists painting angry signs
Use their vision just to blind the blind
Poisoned players of a grizzly game
One is guilty and the other gets the point to blame
Pardon me if I refrain
I declare the war is over
It’s over, it’s over
So do your duty, boys, and join with pride
Serve your country in her suicide
Find the flags so you can wave goodbye
But just before the end even treason might be worth a try
This country is to young to die
I declare the war is over
It’s over, it’s over
One-legged veterans will greet the dawn
And they’re whistling marches as they mow the lawn
And the gargoyles only sit and grieve
The gypsy fortune teller told me that we’d been deceived
You only are what you believe
I believe the war is over
It’s over, it’s over