This is a song about seizing the day because once you die, you won’t be able to enjoy the pleasures of life or stand for anything that you believe in. However Ochs also says “I won’t be running from the rain when I’m gone and I can’t even suffer from the pain when I’m gone” Showing that he values t...
[Verse 1]
There's no place in this world where I'll belong when I'm gone
And I won't know the right from the wrong when I'm gone
And you won't find me singin' on this song when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
[Verse 2]
And I won't feel the flowing of the time when I'm gone
All the pleasures of love will not be mine when I'm gone
My pen won't pour a lyric line when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
[Verse 3]
And I won't breathe the bracing air when I'm gone
And I can't even worry 'bout my cares when I'm gone
Won't be asked to do my share when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
[Verse 4]
And I won't be running from the rain when I'm gone
And I can't even suffer from the pain when I'm gone
Can't say who's to praise and who's to blame when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
[Verse 5]
Won't see the golden of the sun when I'm gone
And the evenings and the mornings will be one when I'm gone
Can't be singin' louder than the guns while I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
[Verse 6]
All my days won't be dances of delight when I'm gone
And the sands will be shifting from my sight when I'm gone
Can't add my name into the fight while I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
[Verse 7]
And I won't be laughin' at the lies when I'm gone
And I can't question how or when or why when I'm gone
Can't live proud enough to die when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
[Verse 1]
There's no place in this world where I'll belong when I'm gone
And I won't know the right from the wrong when I'm gone
And you won't find me singin' on this song when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it
I guess I'll have to do it
Guess I'll have to do it
While I'm here
When I’m Gone was written by Phil Ochs.
When I’m Gone was produced by Mark Abramson & Jac Holzman.
as with much of Ochs' work, it’s accompanied by him strumming on his guitar