Ringing Of Revolution chords by Phil Ochs

G        C     G    C
In a building of gold, with riches untold,
     G           C      G   - C
lived the families on which the country was founded.
    G      C         G     C
And the merchants of style, with their red velvet smiles,
   G        Em    D
were there, for they also were hounded.
    G      C       G    C
And the soft middle class crowded in to the last,
    G      Em    Bm
for the building was fully surrounded.
G        C      G    D7   G
And the noise outside was the ringing of revolution.

G        C     G    C
Sadly they stared and sank in their chairs
  G       C      G   - C
and searched for a comforting notion.
    G      C         G     C
And the rich silver walls looked ready to fall
   G        Em    D
As they shook in doubtful devotion.
    G      C       G    C
The ice cubes would clink as they freshened their drinks,
    G      Em    Bm
wet their minds in bitter emotion.
G        C      G    D7   G
And they talked about the ringing of revolution.

     G           C      G   - C
We were hardly aware of the hardships they beared,
  G      C      G   - C
for our time was taken with treasure.
    G      C         G     C
Oh, life was a game, and work was a shame,
   G        Em    D
And pain was prevented by pleasure.
    G      C       G    C
The world, cold and grey, was so far away
    G      Em    Bm
In the distance only money could measure.
G        C      G    D7   G
But their thoughts were broken by the ringing of revolution.

     G           C      G   - C
The clouds filled the room in darkening doom
 G           C      G   - C
as the crooked smoke rings were rising.
    G      C         G     C
How long will it take, how can we escape
   G        Em    D
Someone asks, but no one's advising.
    G      C       G    C
And the quivering floor responds to the roar,
    G      Em    Bm
In a shake no longer surprising.
G        C      G    D7   G
As closer and closer comes the ringing of revolution.

     G           C      G   - C
Softly they moan, please leave us alone
 G     C      G   - C
As back and forth they are pacing.
    G      C         G     C
And they cover their ears and try not to hear
   G        Em    D
WIth pillows of silk they're embracing.
    G      C       G    C
And the crackling crowd is laughing out loud,
    G     Em       Bm
peeking in at the target they're chasing.
G        C      G    D7   G
Now trembling inside the ringing of revolution.

G           C     G  C
With compromise sway we give in half way
G        C       G   - C
When we saw that rebellion was growing.
    G      C         G     C
Now everything's lost as they kneel by the cross
   G        Em    D
Where the blood of christ is still flowing.
    G      C       G    C
To late for their sorrow they've reached their tomorrow
 G      Em    Bm
and reaped the seed they were sowing.
G        C      G    D7   G
Now harvested by the ringing of revolution.

G           C      G   C
In tattered tuxedos they faced the new heroes
  G    C    G   - C
and crawled about in confusion.
    G      C         G     C
And they sheepishly grinned for their memoroes were dim
   G        Em    D
of the decades of dark execution.
    G      C       G    C
Hollow hands were raised; they stood there amazed
    G      Em    Bm
in the shattering of their illusions.
G        C      G    D7   G
As the windows were smashed by the ringing of revolution.

G           C      G   C
Down on our knees we're begging you please,
   G       C      G  - C
We're sorry for the way you were driven.
    G      C         G     C
There's no need to taunt just take what you want,
   G        Em    D
and we'll make amends, if we're living.
    G      C       G    C
But away from the grounds the flames told the town
    G      Em    Bm
that only the dead are forgiven.
G        C      G    D7   G