Status Quo
Barbra Streisand Lyrics

Are you ready to hear your lesson for the day?
Are you prepared to receive the knowledge and teachings being presented to you today?

yes, teacher! yes, teacher!
Yes, I am ready and eager to learn from you, teacher!

Are you ready to learn what history has to say?
Are you prepared to gain knowledge and understanding from the lessons of the past?

Then take your books and follow me to 1776 ad
Grab your books and accompany me to the historical era of 1776 AD.

And as the history page is turned we will see what we can learn
As we explore the turning pages of history, we will discover valuable insights and lessons.

In 1776 tom paine was writing books with a might and main
During the year 1776, Tom Paine was passionately writing impactful books.

The tory said 'now man alive'
The Tories exclaimed, 'Hey, wake up and listen!'

Stop giving out with this here liberty jive
Cease spreading this talk about liberty and freedom carelessly.

Don't sing of people's rights that way
Avoid singing about the rights and liberties of individuals with that particular style.

They might believe in what you say
They might genuinely start to believe in the messages you convey.

So stop your song it's not polite
Therefore, halt your song, as it is considered impolite and inappropriate.

Pipe down before you start a fight
Lower your voice and quiet down before you provoke a conflict.

you don't say, teacher, is that right?
Oh, I didn't realize that, teacher. Is that accurate?

Aha, but tom paine looked ahead
Ah, but Tom Paine anticipated future events and consequences.

And to those tories thomas said no, no, no, no
And to those Tories, Thomas Paine firmly responded with multiple 'no's.

When you got to go, you got to go
In times where progress and change are essential, you must take action and move forward.

You can't stand still on freedom's track
Remaining stagnant and inactive on the path to freedom is not possible.

If you don't go forward, you go back
Failure to advance leads to regression rather than remaining in the same position.

You can't giddyup by saying whoa
You cannot propel yourself forward by constantly restraining or shouting 'whoa'.

And sitting on your status quo
By clinging to the existing state of affairs, you inhibit progress.

To washington at valley forge
To the location of Valley Forge, where George Washington and his troops were stationed.

A wise guy whispered slow down, george
A seemingly intelligent person advised George Washington to slow down and proceed with caution.

Why start up trouble for the king
Why initiate conflicts and disturbances that might trouble the king?

This freedom racket is a corny thing
This pursuit of freedom seems trivial and unimpressive.

Your troops are ickys they can't move
Your troops are weak and incapable of making progress.

You'll never get them in the groove
You will never get your troops into a coordinated and effective state.

So if you're wise, you'll just lay low
Therefore, if you possess wisdom, you will choose to remain passive and avoid action.

And play with the guys that have the dough
Instead, engage and collaborate with those who have wealth and influence.

you don't say teacher, is that so?
Oh, is that really the case, teacher? I had no idea.

Aha, but george just looked ahead
However, George Washington looked towards the future with determination.

And to that tory georgie said...no...no, no, no
In response to that Tory, George firmly stated 'no' multiple times.

Now paul revere saw a bellfry light
At that moment, Paul Revere noticed a light in the bell tower.

And that boy rode to town one night
And that young man quickly rode to town in the darkness of the night.

Sang to the farmers near and far
He sang to the farmers who lived nearby and those from distant places.

Here come the british beating eight to the bar
Indicating that the British forces were swiftly advancing and posing a threat.

One slippery tory said now paul
One deceitful Tory confronted Paul and said,

You're manners aren't nice at all
Your behavior and manners are far from acceptable.

Turn back, don't be an old hep cat
Go back, don't act like a trendy and rebellious person.

The right people don't sing like that
Respectable individuals do not express themselves in such a manner.

butpaul revere turn him down flat
However, Paul Revere dismissed him completely and firmly.

Aha, that's right, he rode ahead
Indeed, that was the correct decision, and he proceeded onwards without hesitation.

And to that tory paul just said, no, no, no, no
To that determined Tory, Paul Revere firmly exclaimed 'no' repeatedly.

So, students now you're hep, don't stop!
Therefore, students, now that you are enlightened and informed, do not halt your progress.

Keep stepping to that freedom hop
Continue moving forward with determined strides towards the pursuit of freedom.

Although the tory's beef and blow
Despite the complaints and resistance from the Tories,

To keep you sitting on your status quo
To prevent you from remaining complacent and stagnant.

When they say let's stand still a bit
When they advocate for staying stationary and not making any progress.

Give up some rights, no harm in it
Surrendering certain rights, claiming there is no harm or consequence in doing so.

Remember those are just the tricks
Always remember that these are merely deceptive tactics.

That did not work in 76
Such tactics and strategies proved ineffective in the year 1776.

now ain't that right, the same old tricks?
Isn't that correct? It's the repetition of the same old manipulative methods, isn't it?

Though torys talk: don't be misled
Despite the persuasive arguments put forth by the Tories, do not be deceived.

And do what all those others said
Instead, follow the example and advice of those who spoke before.

No, no, no, no
Emphasizing the negation and rejection of a particular idea or proposal.

When you got to go, you got to go
When it is necessary to take action, to progress, you must seize the opportunity.

You can't stand still on freedom's track
Remaining stagnant and immobile on the path to freedom is not an option.

If you don't go forward, you go back
Failure to advance leads to regression rather than remaining in the same position.

You can't giddyup by saying whoa
You cannot motivate yourself forward by constantly restraining and saying 'whoa.'

And sitting on your status quo
By clinging to the existing state of affairs, you inhibit progress.

Sitting on, yes, sittin' on your, status...
Remaining passive, comfortably resting on your current circumstances and not making any effort to change.

Quo!
Status quo!

Oh!
Expressing surprise or realization.