Ochs was famous for harshly criticizing the Vietnam War and the American military-industrial establishment.
The musical arrangement, by Bob Thompson, incorporates martial beats, brass horns, and flutes.
[15] As the song fades out, the horns play part of Ochs's own "I Ain't Marching Anymore".
[19][20] In August 1968, Ochs performed "The War Is Over" during the protests at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, inspiring hundreds of young men to burn their draft cards.
When Ochs sang the line "even treason might be worth a try — this country is too young to die", he was interrupted by five minutes of cheering.
[21] On August 28, 1969 Ochs sang the song at Chicago's Grant Park Bandshell on the first anniversary of the Democratic Convention's "The whole world is watching" police riot.
[23][24] On July 28, 2016 Lady Gaga performed the song during a private concert for delegates in Camden, New Jersey, as part of the 2016 Democratic National Convention festivities in support for then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.