How does Phil Ochs' I Ain't Marching Anymore reflect on its time period?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bill P
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Bill P

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The song is reflective of a "peace & love Movement" which came out during the Vietnam War. If you substitute the words "young men of America" for the "I" in the song the meaning is simply that the young men will no longer fight in wars. Listen to "Eve of Destruction", "Sky Pilot", or "Blowing in the Wind" for more examples of protest songs from the era.
 
Can someone help interpret these lyrics for me? I don't understand the lyrics when they're about America's past wars when the time period is during the Vietnam War

Oh I marched to the battle of New Orleans
At the end of the early British war
The young land started growing
The young blood started flowing
But I ain't marchin' anymore

For I've killed my share of Indians
In a thousand different fights
I was there at the Little Big Horn
I heard many men lying I saw many more dying
But I ain't marchin' anymore

It's always the old to lead us to the war
It's always the young to fall
Now look at all we've won with the saber and the gun
Tell me is it worth it all

For I stole California from the Mexican land
Fought in the bloody Civil War
Yes I even killed my brothers
And so many others But I ain't marchin' anymore

For I marched to the battles of the German trench
In a war that was bound to end all wars
Oh I must have killed
thanks in advance!
 
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