A.M.A. Song

By Phil Ochs

G D G We are the nation's physicians D G Yes, we give to our lobbies every day D B C7 We will fight against disease when the money comes with ease G D G And when we get together we say C G Hooray for A.M.A. C G D And for us doctors gluts of higher pay G D B C7 If you can't afford my bill don't you tell me that you're ill G D G 'Cause that's the free enterprise way We've divided up the sections of the body Every day we specialize more and more But we really love to stitch the diseases of the rich We are sure there is a clinic for the poor Hooray for the A.M.A And for us doctors gluts of higher pay If you can't afford my bill don't you tell me that you're ill 'Cause that's the free enterprise way And our waiting rooms are getting pretty crowded It is sad to see our patients sit and bleed But if you must use our ointment then you must have an appointment Or who'll pay for those magazines you read Hooray for the A.M.A And for us doctors gluts of higher pay, higher pay If you can't afford my bill don't you tell me that you're ill 'Cause that's the free enterprise way And now the government is getting too ambitious Yes, we know they want to socialize us all Well our oath was hippocratic but with money we're fanatic So we'll see you in Canada in the fall [1] Hooray for the A.M.A. And for us doctors gluts of higher pay If you can't afford my bill don't you tell me that you're ill 'Cause that's the free enterprise way AMALGAMATED A.M.A.

Notes:

1. At the time this song was written (circa 1962) Canada did not have socialized medicine. That's probably the only part of this song you could call dated.

This was one of Phil's more popular songs when he sang at Faragher's, a coffeehouse in Cleveland Heights in 1961.

It was published in Broadside, issue #21 in February 1963. (thanks to Bill Curtis for the last two items)

17 Aug 97 trent