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Ringing Of Revolution

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GIn a building of Cgold, with Griches unCtold,
                               G             C        G- C  
lived the families on which the country was founded.
And the Gmerchants of Cstyle, with their Gvain, velvet Csmiles,
were Gthere, for they Emalso were Dhounded.
And the Gsoft middle Cclass crowded Gin to the Clast,
for the Gbuilding was Emfully surBmrounded.
GAnd the noise outCside was the Gringing D7of revoGlution.
GSadly they stared Cand sank iGn their cChairs
                  G             C        G- C  
and searched for a comforting notion.
And the Grich silver wCalls looked ready Gto fallC  
As thGey shook in doubEmtful devotDion.
The ice Gcubes would Cclink as they Gfreshened Ctheir drinks,
wet theiGr minds in biEmtter emotBmion.
GAnd they talked aCbout the ringGing of rD7evolutiGon.
                               G             C        G- C  
We were hardly aware of the hardships they beared,
                G             C        G- C  
for our time was taken with treasure.
Oh, life Gwas a game, Cand work was a shaGme,C  
And pGain was preventeEmd by pleasDure.
The worlGd, cold and Cgrey, was so fGar awayC  
In the dGistance only Emmoney couBmld measure.
GBut their thoughtCs were broken Gby the D7ringing Gof revolution.
                               G             C        G- C  
The clouds filled the room in darkening doom
                      G             C        G- C  
as the crooked smoke rings were rising.
How long Gwill it takeC, how can we escapGeC  
SomeoGne asks, but no Emone's adviDsing.
And the Gquivering flCoor responds tGo the roaCr,
In a shaGke no longer EmsurprisinBmg.
GAs closer and cloCser comes the Gringing D7of revGolution.
                               G             C        G- C  
Softly they moan, please leave us alone
           G             C        G- C  
As back and forth they are pacing.
And they Gcover their Cears and try not tGo hearC  
With Gpillows of silk Emthey're emDbracing.
Oh, the Gcackling crCowd is laughinGg out louCd,
peeking Gin at the Emtarget they're Bmchasing.
GNow trembling insCide the ringiGng of reD7volutioGn.
GWith compromise sway wCe gave in GhalfCway
                G               C        G- C  
When we saw that rebellion was growing.
Now everGything's lost Cas they kneel by Gthe crossC  
Where Gthe blood of ChEmrist is stDill flowing.
To late Gfor their soCrrow they've rGeached thCeir tomorrow
anGd reaped the Emseed they Bmwere sowing.
GNow harvested by Cthe ringing oGf revoluD7tion.G  
GIn tattered tuxedos thCey faced the Gnew hCeroes
           G          C        G- C  
and crawled about in confusion.
And they Gsheepishly gCrinned for their mGemoroes werCe dim
of thGe decades of darEmk executioDn.
Hollow hGands raCised, they stoGod there Camazed
in the sGhattering of Emtheir illBmusions
GAs the windows weCre smashed by Gthe rinD7ging of Grevolution.
GDown on our knees, we'rCe begging yoGu pleasCe,
                   G             C     G- C  
We're sorry for the way you were driven.
There's Gno need to taCunt, just take what Gyou want,C  
and wGe'll make amendsEm, if we're Dliving.
But away Gfrom the grCounds, the flamGes told tChe town
that onlGy the dead arEme forgiveBmn.
GAs they crumbled Cinside the riGnging of D7revoluGtion.

All chords in this song (6)

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Ringing Of Revolution

by Phil Ochs

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

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 vain, 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

Oh, the cackling 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 gave in halfway

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 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

As they crumbled inside the ringing of revolution.

About Ringing Of Revolution Chords by Phil Ochs

Learn how to play Ringing Of Revolution by Phil Ochs with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Ringing Of Revolution chords”, “Ringing Of Revolution guitar chords”, or “Phil Ochs Ringing Of Revolution chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Ringing Of Revolution chords and for experienced players who want accurate Ringing Of Revolution lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, Em, D, Bm, D7.

FAQ — Ringing Of Revolution by Phil Ochs

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What key is "Ringing Of Revolution" in?

The chords for "Ringing Of Revolution" show the original chord names (including G, C, Em, D, Bm, D7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.