Ohio was written by Neil Young in response to the fatal shooting of four protesting students at Kent State University in May 1970. It was recorded by his band, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, less than three weeks after the shootings and released in June 1970. The lyrics of Ohio reflect Young’s outrage over the events at Kent State. He refers to the Ohio National Guard as “tin soldiers” and claims that “soldiers are cutting us down”. Some radio stations refused to play Ohio because of Young’s direct attack on US president Richard Nixon, however it became an anthem for the anti-war movement, particularly in schools and colleges.
Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,
We’re finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drumming,
Four dead in Ohio.Gotta get down to it
Soldiers are cutting us down
Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her
And found her dead on the ground
How can you run when you know?Gotta get down to it
Soldiers are cutting us down
Should have been done long ago.
What if you knew her
And found her dead on the ground
How can you run when you know?Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,
We’re finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drumming,
Four dead in Ohio.
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