Phil Ochs - Ringing Of Revolution Lyrics






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 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
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
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





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Phil Ochs Ringing Of Revolution Comments
  1. E.... B....

    This is such a haunting song...Phil was right. It is cinematic right down the "shatter" and the realization that all the begging will not spare the occupants. Only the dead are forgiven. At this point, the occupant of the white house needs this treatment.

  2. T.... S....

    ... as they're being encircled by the ringing of revolution,
    all the People on the inside spiritually resemble Billy Barr & Nancy Pelosi & all the People on the outside physically resemble AOC & Mayor Pete...

    T.... S....

    This is a song about killing the corrupt upper classes. Not only would I doubt that currently running politicians would back this, as they have a monetary stake in their election, but they'd certainly be involved in the "soft middle class", especially pete.

    T.... S....

    Mayor Pete is on the other end of the revolution lol

  3. T.... T....

    In a building of gold, with riches untold,
    Lived the families on which the country was founded.
    And the merchants of style, with their vain 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 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.
    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 memoroes 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.

  4. D.... M....

    Phil could've done stand up

  5. R.... B....

    We listened to this song on Christmas Eve 2018 in the Donetsk People's Republic, and raised our glasses to The Revolution.

    R.... B....

    Russell Bentley
    I know this comment is old as fuck, but can you please give me some info on donetsk from a communist perspective? Or point me towards a reliable source. It's so hard to find proper information on left wing movements when you live in the anglo sphere.

  6. J.... S....

    Timestamps:
    0:00-1:34 You listen to Phil joke
    1:34-7:06 Your life is forever changed

  7. A.... B....

    Ringing of Revolution
    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 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.
    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 memoroes 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.
    Songwriters: Phil Ochs
    Ringing of Revolution lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

  8. A.... B....

    join your local DSA chapter, it's time for the revolution...

    A.... B....

    @I eat playdoh the political process is only useful as a bully puppet to spread revolutionary propaganda. Build militant unionism, support the syndicalist revolution

    A.... B....

    IWW is a good union, join the PSL, WWP or FRSO for a revolutionary socialist party.

    A.... B....

    ​@Lord Thanatos ok but what's the point of a revolution (if it is even possible as unions have inherently reformist tendencies) if you don't even eliminate anarchy in production lol

    A.... B....

    Kill your local communists

    A.... B....

    Who else is an anarchist in 2019?

  9. M.... M....

    One of the greatest stanzas. Love's Phil's rhymes and alliteration.

    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.

  10. P.... D....

    We will never be Free while the Rich & Powerful Rule Over Us! Left Wing & Progressive Books & Memorabilia Sale in Progress – Revolutionary Ideas included! http://stores.ebay.com/fahrenheit451bookstore

  11. M.... M....

    Am I the only moderate (well I'm moderate liberal and fear, sometime hate, the lying crazy Left) who loves Phil Ochs? I think I am. His lyrics haunt and melt my soul (what soul? I am an Atheist). Open borders? Damn I hope Phil would have more sense than that. Why does the Left love open borders? Because it brings in future Leftists and Democratic voters.

    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.

    M.... M....

    Libbys get the bullet too

    M.... M....

    KaptainKush Congrats on your first video. You and your kids and your messing with the ceiling fan, creating havoc. Funny.

    M.... M....

    Marc Miller please don't listen to this dude, he's what we call a tankie. Socialism has worked, in the Paris commune, Rojava, the Zapatista territory, etc. Why need borders anyways? The centralization of power. If the people who hold power in the United States don't have power over who are entering their country, their power is decentralized. (Which they despise, because it gives the people more power.)

    M.... M....

    JP Huffinstuff Also Catalonia

    M.... M....

    Phil Ochs was a communist in the 60s. Why would he not be anymore? Cuba is still a great example socialism as it was in his time, and the list continues to new places such as Bolivia and Nepal. He was a communist then and would be one now because communism hasn’t changed in that time. It’s successes stand and it has fallen only when dedicated outside influence persists or when it’s principles are forsaken.

  12. T.... A....

    He could sure play a crowd.

  13. j.... ....



    RINGING OF REVOLUTION LYRICS

    Introduction:
    We'll do a song then about revolution
    A song of what's been true of all revolutions
    From the begining, the French, the American
    This is a fictional song, a cinematic song

    You've got to picture this mansion
    On the top of a hill, housing the last of the idle rich
    The last of the bourgeois, the last of the folk singers
    As they are being encircled tighter and tighter by the Ringing of Revolution

    All the people on the inside spiritually resemble Charles Laughton
    All the people on the outside physically resemble Lee Marvin

    As a matter of fact, this song is so cinematic
    It's been made into a movie directed by Otto Preminger
    It stars senator Carl Hayden as Ho Chi Minh
    Frank Sinatra plays Fidel Castro

    Ronald Reagan plays George Murphy
    John Wayne plays Lyndon Johnson
    And Lyndon Johnson plays God
    I play Bobby Dylan, a young Bobby Dylan

    Verse:

    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 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
    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
    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

    j.... ....

    I was gonna write the lyrics, damn you! ha. Also it's "the young bobby dylan" not "a young bobby dylan" I think. The lyrics to this song (and sure a great melody helps) impress me more than the greatest poets who too often write with obscure references.

    j.... ....

    Thank you for share lirics.

  14. O.... ....

    "...and the White House plays Versailles"

  15. C.... C....

    it's a haunting song, about the final realizations of those formerly in power. they build their walls and desperately cling to their power even as their fate becomes obvious. They realize too late the damage they have caused, and had they relinquished their power earlier they would have been spared.

    C.... C....

    Cary Crow They wouldn't have been, tho.

    C.... C....

    And the cycle would continue when the new revolutionaries would later be confronted by the next new revolutionaries.  Non-violent revolution is the best path.

    C.... C....

    danny j no, because revolution is a vital part of keeping a balance. The longer you wait the worse things get until the people no longer have any choice anymore. There is no such thing as a peaceful revolution, and real change can not come without paying the price in blood. When will you worthless liberals wake up and join the real leftists in restoring freedom to the world? Wake the fuck up and drop the "nonviolence is the only way" horse shit.

    C.... C....

    You demonstrate very clearly why your ilk will remain a powerless minority.

    C.... C....

    @danny j non-violence is just non-action

    go away liberal...

  16. M.... ....

    "The flames told the town that only the dead are forgiven." For the "dark executions" this is the only real option; otherwise, they may come back in some new incarnation. In plain language they must be killed, for they are too much of a risk to return. Phil Ochs taught me how to think politically -- and so much more. He would be a fine warm-up act for Bernie. Where is the Phil Ochs of 2017?

    M.... ....

    MRjimdotcom1 boburnham reminds me of him, but he has only 2 or 3 songs that are remotely comparable

    M.... ....

    lol, this is way too much for bernie haha! mind that most of bernie's fans are still apolitical liberals. keep it friendly around him

  17. M.... S....

    Both great songwriters but Ochs' singing blows (well, blew) Dylan's away

    M.... S....

    In some of Phil's recording his voice is stirring, authentic and haunting. I guess in the studio they made his voice better.

    M.... S....

    Phil could stay on key. Bob never could.

  18. B.... K....

    Does anyone know the date of this recording?

    B.... K....

    Ben Kreilkamp it was on his third Electra album released 1966 "In Concert" https://www.discogs.com/Phil-Ochs-In-Concert/master/222328
    Lyric refers to 1966 California election of Governor Reagan.

    B.... K....

    1971or73

  19. T.... C....

    "I play a young Bobby Dylan" -the beginning of their collapse as friends.

  20. A.... ....

    the flames told the town only the dead are forgiven

  21. Z.... F....

    that bit about Reagan was fucking freaky

    Z.... F....

    Zack Frailey well not really. Reagan was a well known and outspoken right wing politician in the 1960s during the time Phil Ochs was songwriting so it's not surprising that he caught Och's notice.

  22. j.... ....

    "And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all" . . . .

  23. C.... M....

    What a truly amazing song. I wish he were still here.

    C.... M....

    g-men hung him high happens to all the best ones, its a badge of honour realy, means he stood for something that threatened them

  24. P.... ....

    This song only becomes more relevant as time goes on.

    P.... ....

    October is coming

    P.... ....

    April is the cruelest month.

    P.... ....

    If you really think that immigrants are making you poor and causing the pitfalls in the US, instead of the rich people who gutted the working class and maintain quasi-feudalism with lifelong debts, then Trump has already done his job on you. The only people to blame are the people with the power to cause these problems, not the refugees of those very same atrocities.

    P.... ....

    Hopefully that continues to the fullest extent.

  25. t.... r....

    Terrific song and intro.

  26. K.... C....

    Remembering Phil today, died 40 years ago. Left this world too soon. We need him & his wise words & songs.

    K.... C....

    Kimberly Collins Had an absolutely horrific death too

    K.... C....

    Yeah much worse than being shot by a sniper .. the poor guy went through hell and because it was on the inside, nobody much cared when it was happening.

  27. J.... M....

    in memory of a great man:
    http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/04/03/the-short-secret-life-of-phil-ochs.html

    J.... M....

    +Jane Millerick The one and only worthwhile thing that the Daily Beast has written. Ever.

    J.... M....

    Jane Millerick Beautifully written and insightful.

  28. m.... ....

    I just realized that Ochs died in '76... he had no idea Ronald Reagan was president... he had no idea how much worse Reagan would be than Murphy.

    m.... ....

    Only trouble is, this song was written (and recorded) before 1967. Otherwise, man, if only we had a Phil Ochs around today.

    m.... ....

    *better

    m.... ....

    Good call.  I find a first recording of it in 1966, the year Saint Ronnie first ran for Governor, but before he was inaugurated.  
    https://www.allmusic.com/song/ringing-of-revolution-mt0004494408/variations

    m.... ....

    wasn`t Regan already well known as leader in black listing ' communist " associates in the film industry ?

    m.... ....

    Ronald Regan was an actor. Jeez.

  29. P.... 3....

    Best bed time lullaby to a revolutionary solider ever

    P.... 3....

    Different revolution.

  30. D.... ....

    Only the dead are forgiven.  I can think of a dozen or so names that need to be on that unforgiven list.

    D.... ....

    Ducksoup67 I thought you were gonna say they belonged on the Forgiven list ... ;)

  31. j.... a....

    Certainly this fellow might have outshined, or at least have equalled Dylan....Thank You!...

    j.... a....

    dylan couldnt hold a candle to phil, go lookup his works on bit torrent or even here 100s and 100s of songs every one amazing in its own way

    j.... a....

    james alden He outshone Dylan. What has Dylan done in the last 40 years that compares?

    j.... a....

    @Tom Ashton "Every Grain of Sand". "Idiot Wind", etc

    j.... a....

    He was better than Bob.

  32. R.... Z....

    "John Wayne plays Lyndon Johnson, and Lyndon Johnson plays God. I play Bobby Dylan."

    Ochs' legendary humor at its best. RIP my friend.

    R.... Z....

    gone, never forgotten, seminal voice of our times even death couldn't silence him nor relegate him to the annuals of history

    R.... Z....

    Rachel Zack "A *young* Bobby Dylan!" ... ;)

    R.... Z....

    that`s a young bobby dylan - big diff. back in those days ,

    R.... Z....

    I play Phil ochs

  33. P.... C....

    Actual song starts at 1:35, not that the intro isn't good, but one doesn't always want to hear it each damn time.

    P.... C....

    yes one dose :P

    P.... C....

    Love that remark. Honest.

    P.... C....

    Plus, as of 2018 we'd need a whole new crew of actors to play the politicians (who of my juniors recalls Otto Preminger?) , and a new list of politicians (who can recall the face of Carl Hayden or George Murphy?) The only sure hire is the one who plays god!