Ringing of Revolution-Phil Ochs

[ti:Ringing Of Revolution]
[ar:Phil Ochs]
[al:There But For Fortune]
[by:]
[offset:0]
[00:00.00]Ringing of Revolution - Phil Ochs
[01:39.64]In a building of gold with riches untold
[01:44.47]Lived the families on
[01:45.70]Which the country was founded
[01:49.40]And the merchants of style
[01:51.72]With their red velvet smiles
[01:54.29]Were there for they also were hounded
[01:59.06]And the soft middle class
[02:01.06]Crowded in to the last
[02:03.42]For the building was fully surrounded
[02:08.48]And the noise outside
[02:10.58]Was the ringing of revolution
[02:20.58]Sadly they stared and sank in their chairs
[02:24.86]And searched for a comforting notion
[02:29.43]And the rich silver walls looked ready to fall
[02:34.28]As they shook in doubtful devotion
[02:39.15]The ice cubes would clink
[02:40.96]As they freshened their drinks
[02:43.37]Wet their minds in bitter emotion
[02:48.27]And they talked about
[02:51.02]The ringing of revolution
[03:00.14]We were hardly aware
[03:02.18]Of the hardships they beared
[03:05.44]For our time was taken with treasure
[03:10.45]Oh life was a game
[03:12.72]And work was a shame
[03:15.37]And pain was prevented by pleasure
[03:20.13]The world cold and grey
[03:22.48]Was so far away
[03:25.19]In the distance only money could measure
[03:29.60]But their thoughts were
[03:31.22]Broken by the ringing of revolution
[03:41.12]And the clouds filled the room
[03:43.63]In darkening doom
[03:46.12]As the crooked smoke rings were rising
[03:50.87]How long will it take how can we escape
[03:55.65]Someone asks but no one's advising
[04:00.49]And the quivering floor
[04:02.89]Responds to the roar
[04:05.25]In a shake no longer surprising
[04:09.96]As closer and closer
[04:12.25]Comes the ringing of revolution
[04:21.78]Softly they moan please leave us alone
[04:26.96]Back and forth they are pacing
[04:31.55]And they cover their ears
[04:34.08]And try not to hear
[04:36.40]With pillows of silk they're embracing
[04:41.26]And the crackling crowd
[04:43.47]Is laughing out loud
[04:45.94]Peeking in at the target
[04:48.26]They're chasing
[04:50.54]Now trembling inside
[04:53.10]The ringing of revolution
[05:02.27]With compromise sway we give in half way
[05:07.39]When we saw that rebellion was growing
[05:12.50]Now everything's lost
[05:14.83]As they kneel by the cross
[05:16.64]Where the blood of Christ is still flowing
[05:21.85]To late for their sorrow
[05:24.06]They've reached their tomorrow
[05:26.51]And reaped the seed they were sowing
[05:31.23]Now harvested
[05:32.55]By the ringing of revolution
[05:42.47]In tattered tuxedos
[05:44.83]They faced the new heroes
[05:47.54]And crawled about in confusion
[05:51.96]And they sheepishly grinned
[05:54.03]For their memories were dim
[05:56.32]Of the decades of dark execution
[06:01.85]Hollow hands were raised
[06:03.70]They stood there amazed
[06:06.20]In the shattering of their illusions
[06:10.40]As the windows were smashed
[06:12.70]By the ringing of revolution
[06:22.77]Down on our knees we're begging you please
[06:28.18]We're sorry for the way you were driven
[06:33.45]There's no need to taunt
[06:35.76]Just take what you want
[06:38.16]And we'll make amends if we're living
[06:43.13]But away from the grounds
[06:45.56]The flames told the town
[06:48.22]That only the dead are forgiven
[06:53.01]As they vanished inside
[06:55.61]The ringing of revolution