When I'm Gone

Mary Travers died yesterday.
It takes a lot to be one of the best-loved Marys in the world, in a category headed by the mother of Jesus.
So, with love and respect, here's a song by Phil Ochs that speaks to me when I think about life and death and the people who do the kind of work that Mary Travers did.

Rise Up Singing chapter: Time and Changes, p.229
Chords in video: D - Bm - / Em - A - / D A Bm - / Em A D -
R.U.S. chords: D - Bm - / Em - A - / D F#m Bm - / Em A D -

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 singing on this song when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

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 out a lyric line when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

And I won't breathe the brandy 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

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
There's nothing I can lose or I can gain when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

I Won't see the golden of the sun when I'm gone
And my evenings and my mornings will be one when I'm gone
Can't be singing louder than the guns when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

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 when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here

And I won't be laughing 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