Lyrics Phil Ochs – Ringing Of Revolution

In a building of gold, with riches untold
Lived the families on which the country was founded
And the merchants of style, with their red velvet smiles
Were there, for they also were hounded

Sadly they stared and sank in their chairs
And searched for a comforting notion
And the rich silver walls looked ready to fall
As they shook in doubtful devotion
The ice cubes would clink as they freshened their drinks
Wet their minds in bitter emotion
And they talked about the ringing of revolution

We were hardly aware of the hardships they beared
For our time was taken with treasure
Oh, life was a game, and work was a shame
And pain was prevented by pleasure
The world, cold and grey, was so far away
In the distance only money could measure
But their thoughts were broken by the ringing of revolution

The clouds filled the room in darkening doom
As the crooked smoke rings were rising
How long will it take, how can we escape
Someone asks, but no one’s advising
And the quivering floor responds to the roar
In a shake no longer surprising
As closer and closer comes the ringing of revolution

Softly they moan, please leave us alone
As back and forth they are pacing

With compromise sway we give in half way
When we saw that rebellion was growing
Now everything’s lost as they kneel by the cross
Where the blood of Christ is still flowing
Too late for their sorrow they’ve reached their tomorrow
And reaped the seed they were sowing
Now harvested by the ringing of revolution

In tattered tuxedos they faced the new heroes
And crawled about in confusion
And they sheepishly grinned for their memories were dim
Of the decades of dark execution
Hollow hands were raised; they stood there amazed
In the shattering of their illusions
As the windows were smashed by the ringing of revolution

Down on our knees we’re begging you please
We’re sorry for the way you were driven
There’s no need to taunt just take what you want
And we’ll make amends, if we’re living
But away from the grounds the flames told the town
That only the dead are forgiven
As they crumbled inside the ringing of revolution