Revolution
Franklin Kirk Lyrics
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Chapter 7: Verses 16 and 17 (Yes sir)
They shall hunger no more
Neither shall they thirst anymore (Preach preacher!)
And God shall wipe away (Yes sir)
Every tear from the eye (Yes sir)
Get ready for the revolution
(Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on)
Whoaaaa-o-o-oooooo-ohhhhh
Do you want a revolution?
Whoop Whoop!
I said do you want a Revolution?
Whoop Whoop
Whoaaaaa-o-o-Whoaaaa-ohhh-ohhh
Do you want a revolution?
Whoop Whoop
Come on, do you want a revolution?
Whoop Whoop!
Sick and tired of my brothers, killin' each other
Sick and tired of daddies leavin' babies with their mothers
So every man that wanna lay around and play around
Listen partner, you be man enough to stay around
Sick and tired of the Church, talkin' religion
But yet we talk about each other, make a decision
No more racism (no), two face-ism (no)
No pollution (no), the solution (no)
A revolution
Whoaaaa-o-o-oooooo-ohhhhh
Listen, do you want a revolution?
Whoop Whoop!
I said, do you want a Revolution?
Whoop Whoop
Whoaaaaa-o-o-Whoaaaa-ohhh-ohhh
Listen, do you want a revolution?
Whoop Whoop
I said, do you want a revolution?
Whoop Whoop!
No crime (no), No dying (no)
Politicians lying (uh), Everybody's trying
To make a dollar, it makes me wanna holler
The way I do my life, the way they do my life
There's gonna be a brighter day
All your troubles will pass away
A revolution's comin', yes its comin' comin'
Revolution's comin', yes it's comin'
A revolution's comin' comin'
Whoaaaa-o-o-oooooo-ohhhhh
Listen, listen, do you want a revolution?
Whoop Whoop!
I said, Do you want a Revolution?
Whoop Whoop
Whoaaaaa-o-o-Whoaaaa-ohhh-ohhh
All my people, do you want a revolution?
Whoop Whoop
I said, do you want a revolution?
Whoop Whoop!
What you feelin', what you want, son?
Who you callin' to, son?
You know Jesus is the truth, son?
The second in the Trinity, I know you feelin' him
500 days left, until the new millenium
You hearin' him, trumpet soundin'
Christ, the last, the first, the first, the last, it won't pass
So don't be caught slippin' brother, don't be trippin' brother
'Cause when I see him, I'm givin it
Even when we go they say we move too much, we do too much
If you step against us, then you lose too much
Ain't no stoppin' what we doin' when the spirit is movin'
Don't be hatin' what im doin', I'm the vessel he's usin'
Everywhere I be they try to judge me
They try to shake me, they try to buzz me
But they can't break me 'cause I'm down with Christ
DarkChild and Nu Nation make me feel alright
Where all my east coast saints at? Whoop Whoop!
Where my west coast saints at? Whoop Whoop!
Where my Detroit saints at? Whoop Whoop!
Where my Dallas saints at? Whoop Whoop!
Where my Chi Town saints at? Whoop Whoop!
Where my A-T-L saints at? Whoop Whoop!
Where my Jersey saints at? Whoop Whoop!
Where all my towns saints at?
With their hands up! Up, they got their hands up!
With their hands up! Up, they got their hands up!
With their hands up! Up, they got their hands up!
With their hands up! Up, they got their hands up!
Where my DC saints at? Whoop Whoop!
Where my Nashville saints at? Whoop Whoop!
Where my Newsville saints at? Whoop Whoop!
Where my Philly saints at? Whoop Whoop!
Where my Denver saints at? Whoop Whoop!
Where my Charlotte saints at? Whoop Whoop!
Where my Tampa saints at? Whoop Whoop!
Where my Fort Worth saints at?
With their hands up! Up, they got their hands up!
With their hands up! Up, they got their hands up!
With their hands up! Up, they got their hands up!
With their hands up! Up, they got their hands up!
Whoaaaa-o-o-oooooo-ohhhhh
Do you want a revolution?
Whoop Whoop!
Do you want a Revolution?
Whoop Whoop
Whoaaaaa-o-o-Whoaaaa-ohhh-ohhh
Do you want a revolution?
Whoop Whoop
Do you want a revolution?
Whoop Whoop!
In Kirk Franklin's song "Revolution," the lyrics are a call to action for a societal revolution. The opening verses reference the Book of Revelations, specifically Chapter 7: Verses 16 and 17, which describe an afterlife without hunger, thirst, or tears. Franklin then asks the listener multiple times if they want a revolution, citing issues such as violence, absentee fathers, two-faced religion, racism, and pollution as reasons for change. The lyrics acknowledge the struggles faced by those seeking change but assert that a "brighter day" is coming through a revolution.
Franklin's song captures the mood of the early 2000s when society was grappling with issues such as urban violence, religious hypocrisy, and environmental concerns. The song garnered praise for its message, accessible sound, and lyrics that uniquely combined hip hop and gospel music. It also sparked a larger conversation about the role of music in promoting social justice and creating change.
Line by Line Meaning
The Book of Revelations Chapter 7:Verses 16 and 17
Referencing the Bible passage that speaks of a time when God will comfort and free his people from suffering and oppression.
They shall hunger no more, neither shall they thirst anymore (preach preacher!)
In this heavenly time, people will no longer experience physical lack or need, and the singer inserts an exclamation of agreement and encouragement.
And God shall wipe away every tear from the eye
Further describing the comfort and peace of this time, God will wipe away all sorrow and pain from his people.
Get ready for the revolution
The singer encourages listeners to prepare for a coming revolution and social change.
Sick and tired of my brothers, killin' each other
Expressing frustration with the violence and strife that exist within the Black community, and longing for change.
Sick and tired of Daddys leavin' babies with their mothers
Referring to the high rate of absentee fathers in Black communities and expressing a desire for fathers to stay and care for their children.
For every man who wants to lay around and play around, It's important you be man enough to stay around
Speaking directly to men who may avoid responsibility or abandon their families, the singer urges them to step up and be real men who are present for their loved ones.
Sick and tired of the Church, talkin' religion But then they talk about each other, make a decision
The singer critiques hypocrisy in religious institutions that talk about love but then exhibit judgment and dissension within their own ranks.
No more racisim, two face-ism No pollution the solution a revolution
Describing the kind of world the singer envisions, one without racism, hypocrisy or pollution, emphasizing that a revolution is necessary to bring about such change.
No crime, No dying Politians lying, Everybody's trying to make at dollar, it makes me want to holler
The current state of the world is unacceptable in the face of death, lies from politicians and greed. The singer stresses the need for change.
The way I do my life, the way they do my life There's gonna be a brighter day All your troubles will pass away
Acknowledging the hardships of life with optimism for a brighter future, emphasizing the lyrics of the Book of Revelations that sing of leaving difficulty behind.
What you feelin', what you want, son? Who you callin' to, son? You know Jesus is the truth, son? The second in the Trinity
Addressing the listener directly, urging them to turn to Jesus, the second person in the Holy Trinity, for guidance and direction.
500 days left, until the new millennium You hearin' him, the trumpet sounds Christ, the last, the first, the first, the last, it won't pass
Referencing the turn of the millennium, there is an urgency to pay attention to the sound of the trumpet, indicating the imminent arrival of Jesus, who is both the beginning and the end.
so don't be caught slippin', don't be trippin' brother 'cause when I see him, I'm givin it, come on
Urging the listener to be ready when the time comes and promising to be ready himself to face Jesus.
Even when we go they say we move too much, we do too much, if you step against us, then you lose too much
A poetic way of saying that those who underestimate or oppose the power of the Black community will ultimately suffer the most.
ain't no stoppin' what we doin' when the spirit is movin' don't be hatin' what we doin'
Encouraging listeners to embrace the movement and the spirit that is driving it without resentment or jealousy.
I'm the vessel he's usin' everywhere I be they try to judge me, they try to shake me they try to budge me but they can't break me 'cause I'm down with Christ
Asserting that he is an instrument of God's will, the singer describes facing opposition, but the knowledge that he is supported by Christ gives him the strength to withstand it.
DarkChild and Nu Nation make ya feel alright
A shoutout to the producers of the song and the backup choir, emphasizing that the joy and hope of the song is shared by all.
Chorus until end
An invitation to join in the chorus, touting the power and potential of revolution and change.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: Kirk Franklin, Rodney Roy Jerkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind