There But For Fortune

Album: 5 (1964)
Charted: 8 50
Play Video
  • Show me a prison, show me a jail,
    Show me a prisoner whose face has gone pale
    And I'll show you a young man with so many reasons why
    And there but for fortune, may go you or I

    Show me the alley, show me the train,
    Show me a hobo who sleeps out in the rain,
    And I'll show you a young man with so many reasons why
    There but for fortune, may go you or go I you and I.

    Show me the whiskey stains on the floor,
    Show me the dunkin' man as he stumbles out the door,
    And I'll show you a young man with so many reasons why
    There but for fortune, may go you or go I you and I.

    Show me the country where bombs had to fall,
    Show me the ruins of buildings once so tall,
    And I'll show you a young land with so many reasons why
    There but for fortune, go you or go I you and I.
    You and I,
    There but for fortune, go you or go I you and I. Writer/s: Phil Ochs
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

They Might Be Giants

They Might Be GiantsSongwriter Interviews

Who writes a song about a name they found in a phone book? That's just one of the everyday things these guys find to sing about. Anything in their field of vision or general scope of knowledge is fair game. If you cross paths with them, so are you.

Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

Kim Thayil of SoundgardenSongwriter Interviews

Their frontman (Chris Cornell) started out as their drummer, so Soundgarden takes a linear approach when it comes to songwriting. Kim explains how they do it.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."