There But for Fortune

“There but for Fortune” is an folk song written by Phil Ochs in the early 60s. There are 4 verses-the first about a prisoner, the second describes a homeless man, the third is about a drunk who stumbles from a bar, and the last is a country being torn apart by war. Sadly, sixty years later, the world is largely the same. It reminds me of how very blessed my life has been and makes me more keenly aware of the tragedies all around.
I so appreciate you listening.
Show me the whiskey stains on the floor
Show me the drunkard as he stumbles out the door
And I’ll show you a young man with so many reasons why
There but for fortune go you or I
Show me the country where the bombs had to fall
Show me the ruins of the buildings once so tall
And I’ll show you a young land with so many reasons why
There but for fortune go you and I
You and I