Ringing Of Revolution Lyrics - Phil Ochs

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 

And the soft middle class crowded in to the last 

For the building was fully surrounded 

And the noise outside 

Was the ringing of revolution 

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 gray, 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 

And they cover their ears and try not to hear 

With pillows of silk they're embracing 

And the crackling crowd is laughing out loud 

Peeking in at the target they're chasing 

Now trembling inside 

The ringing of revolution 

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 

To 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 vanished inside 

The ringing of revolution