So You Want a Revolution?
WORLDHISTORY PROJECTORIGINS/ LESSON 7.3OPENERSO YOU WANT A REVOLUTION?Unless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “So You Want a Revolution?”, OER Project, www.oerproject.com1PurposeChoose something in your life or community that you would like to see change. Using the lyrics from a revolution or protest song, think through those changes and the actions you might take to make them happen. Thinking about the kinds of changes you’d liketo see in your community will give you perspective before learning about revolutions of the long nineteenth century.Process1.Many famous songs have called for revolution or change. Read the lyricson the next pageto the Beatles’ song “Revolution.” As you read, think about what the song is suggesting, and then answer the analysis questions in the right-hand column.
WORLDHISTORY PROJECTORIGINS / LESSON 7.3OPENERSO YOU WANT A REVOLUTION?2“Revolution” lyricsAnalysis question You say you want a revolutionWell, you knowWe all want to change the worldYou tell me that it’s evolutionWell, you knowWe all want to change the worldBut when you talk about destructionDon’t you know that you can count me outDon’t you know it’s gonna be alrightAlrightAlrightYou say you got a real solutionWell, you knowWe’d all love to see the planYou ask me for a contributionWell, you knowWe’re all doing what we canBut if you want money for people with minds that hateAll I can tell you is, brother, you have to wait Don’t you know it’s gonna be alrightAlrightAlrightYou say you’ll change the ConstitutionWell, you knowWe all want to change your headYou tell me it’s the institutionWell, you knowYou’d better free your mind insteadBut if you go carrying pictures of Chairman MaoYou ain’t going to make it with anyone anyhowDon’t you know it’s gonna be alrightAlrightAlright...The Beatles. Revolution. Apple Records, 1968.What kind of change do you want to see in your community or world?What tactics would you use to make this change happen?What is the Beatles’ message about revolutionary change in this song? How does their perspective compare to yours?