User:Cheleabee21/sandbox

“Here’s to the state of Mississippi”, is a civil rights protest song by Phil Ochs, an American topical singer and song writer in the 1960s. Ochs is best known for anti-war and freedom songs. “Here’s to the state of Mississippi” was released in 1965 as the last track on his album, “I Ain’t Marching Anymore “. The song criticizes the state of Mississippi for its mistreatment of African Americans. He points out various problems with the social constructs that allowed for oppression of the race. Jim Crow laws and white supremacy in the South fueled an imbalance in the state of the civil structure. “Here’s to the state of Mississippi” touches on various issues like segregation, failing school systems, and the negligence and corruption of society, and state and government officials. Ochs was inspired to write this song following a visit to the state. In the summer of 1964, Ochs participated in the Mississippi Caravan of Music, volunteering all over the state. The Mississippi Caravan of Music worked in conjunction with the Mississippi Freedom Summer Campaign. Freedom Summer was an American, volunteer-based campaign in the summer of 1964. The campaign aimed to register black voters in a place where the voting rights for blacks were nearly non-existent. The Caravan supported the mission of the Freedom Summer through encouraging songs and music, and by participating in campaign projects throughout the state. Ochs was deeply affected by what he saw in Mississippi, and especially affected by the murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner during the first month of the campaign. Civil Rights activists, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner worked on the campaign in June 1964. They were arrested in Philadelphia, Mississippi and released the same day. As they drove through Neshoba County they were pulled over again and abducted. The three were reported missing, and an FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) investigation began with a large-scale search of the area. It was learned that the activists were ambushed by the local Ku Klux Klan. The three were beaten and shot to death, their bodies found buried beneath a dam. Ochs sings, "If you drag her muddy river nameless bodies you will find." Which may or may not be a direct reference to the murders. However, it is clear from the powerful tone and raw lyrics of "Here's to the State of Mississippi", that Ochs' experience in the state was profound.

Adaptation
Phil Ochs released the song "Here's to the State of Richard Nixon" in 1974 on the 'A' side of his LP also titled, "Here's to the State of Richard Nixon". Ochs replaces 'Mississippi' with 'Richard Nixon' in the lyrics. Additionally Ochs changes some verses to reflect criticisms about the Nixon administration.

Civil Rights Songs by Phil Ochs

 * The Ballad of Medgar Evers (1964)
 * William Moore (1964)
 * The Ballad of Oxford (mid-1960s)
 * Going Down To Mississippi (mid-1960s)
 * Colored Town (mid-1960s)
 * Days of Decision (1965)
 * Love Me I’m A Liberal (1966)