Revolution

By John T. Marck

During what was known as the Spring of Revolution in March 1968, thousands of people marched in protest on the American Embassy in London's Grosvenor Square, and Lennon watched the event from his Weybridge home. This song, like "Back In The USSR," was another where the title was deceptive. Lennon was not advocating violent revolution, but rather was saying the song was about a person who was pressured from revolutionaries to declare his allegiance. Because it was misinterpreted, Lennon was approached by many Leninist, Trotskist, and Maoist groups for financial and moral support. Lennon's position was that he believed that the only worthwhile revolution had to come about from spiritual change and not violence.

On this, the fast version of "Revolution" the word "in" was omitted, after the phrase, "Don't You Know That You Can Count Me Out (in)" whereby stating clearly that he was "out." In a later response about this, Lennon said, "Count me out if it's for violence. Don't expect me on the barricades unless it's with flowers." In Revolution 1, his slow album version, Lennon was still somewhat undecided on his exact position, so after the line, "count me out," you hear the word "in." So was he in or out?

You say you want a revolution, well, you know, we all want to change the world

You tell me that it's evolution, well, you know, we all want to change the world

But when you talk about destruction, don't you know that you can count me out

Don't you know it's gonna be all right, don't you know it's gonna be all right

Don't you know it's gonna be all right, ah

You say you got a real solution, well, you know, we'd all love to see the plan

You ask me for a contribution, well, you know, we're doing what we can

But when you want money, for people with minds that hate, all I can tell is brother you have to wait

Don't you know it's gonna be all right, don't you know it's gonna be all right

Don't you know it's gonna be all right, ah

You say you'll change the constitution, well, you know, we all want to change your head

You tell me it's the institution, well, you know, you better free you mind instead

But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao, You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow

Don't you know it's gonna be all right, don't you know it's gonna be all right

Don't you know it's gonna be all right, ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah

all right, all right, all right, all right, all right, all right, all right, all right, all right

Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah, all right,

all right

NOTE: All lyrics contained herein are © Copyright Northern Songs. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. The lyrics contained herein are for the sole use of educational reference for the readers of this article. All other uses are in violation of international copyright laws. This use for educational reference, falls under the "fair use" sections of U.S. copyright law. Copyright © 2000-2022 by John T. Marck. All Rights Reserved. This article and their accompanying pictures, photographs, and line art, may not be resold, reprinted, or redistributed for compensation of any kind without prior written permission from the author, or the registered copyright holders. Except as otherwise stated above, all information contained in this article, EXCEPT song titles, lyrics, and photographs © John T. Marck.