It Can Be Done
Redskins Lyrics
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First workers revolution
The first workers revolution in history
Working people forced the bosses' backs against the
Wall
First steps taken for a better life for all
It's a shame
When our past is buried
And our victories go un-named
It's a crying shame
When our history books
Talk of kings & men of fame
And in another country workers rose again
1919, 1919 in Berlin
But they didn't learn the lessons
From the Russians that they should
Revolution, revolution was drowned in blood
It's a crying shame
But the lessons plain
It's a crying shame
But the lessons plain
All things are possible
Hunger of the 30's
Hunger of the 30's back again
And the rich still rich
And the poor still the same as they ever were
And it seems to me
We're still not learning from our history
And it's a crying shame
Those who hold the future hold themselves in chains
It's a crying shame
Those who bear the pain hold themselves to blame
It's a crying, it's a crying shame
It's a crying shame
Look at Petrograd!
Look at Barcelona
Fight against the land
Fight against the land & the factory owners
Same fight today against another ruling class
Learn a lesson from your past
It's a crying shame
But the lessons plain
It's a crying shame
But the lessons plain
It can happen again
It's a crying, crying, crying shame
But the lessons plain
It can be done again!
The Redskins' song "It Can Be Done" speaks about workers' revolutions in history and laments the fact that victories and lessons of the past are not celebrated and remembered. The song starts by referring to the first-ever workers' revolution in history in Russia in 1917. The working people united and forced the hand of the bosses to make life better for all. However, the song notes that history books only speak of kings and men of fame, ignoring the hard work and dedication of the working people.
The song then speaks of another workers' revolution that happened in Berlin in 1919, only to be drowned in blood, suggesting that lessons from Russia were not heeded. The song then shifts its focus to the present, acknowledging that the rich still remain rich, and the poor are still as poor as they were before. With lessons from history, the song ends on an optimistic note, suggesting that workers' revolutions can happen again if people band together.
The song highlights the unwavering spirit of the working people who are willing to fight against the ruling class to make a better life for everyone. It can be considered a call to action, urging people to remember history and learn from the lessons of past revolutions to enable change in the present.
Line by Line Meaning
Russia sparked the fires in 1917
The first workers revolution in history was sparked by Russia in 1917.
First workers revolution
The Russian revolution was the first successful socialist revolution by the working class.
Working people forced the bosses' backs against the
Wall
The working class stood up against the owner class and forced them to cower in fear.
First steps taken for a better life for all
The workers' revolution in Russia took the first steps towards achieving a better life for all workers.
It's a shame
It is regrettable.
It's a crying shame
It's a cause for sorrow.
When our past is buried
And our victories go un-named
It's sad when our past history is forgotten and our accomplishments are not recognized.
When our history books
Talk of kings & men of fame
It's saddening when history books only discuss royalty and famous men, neglecting the contributions of everyday people.
And in another country workers rose again
1919, 1919 in Berlin
In 1919, another workers' revolution erupted in Berlin.
But they didn't learn the lessons
From the Russians that they should
The revolutionaries in Berlin didn't learn the important lessons they should have learned from their Russian comrades.
Revolution, revolution was drowned in blood
The workers' revolution in Berlin failed and resulted in the loss of many lives.
But the lessons plain
The lessons are clear and obvious.
All things are possible
Anything can happen.
Hunger of the 30's
Hunger of the 30's back again
Poverty and hunger experienced in the 1930s are happening again.
And the rich still rich
And the poor still the same as they ever were
The wealthy and privileged in society remain rich, while the poor continue to suffer poverty despite a supposed democratic and egalitarian society.
And it seems to me
We're still not learning from our history
It appears that we are not learning any lessons from our past mistakes and history repeating itself.
Those who hold the future hold themselves in chains
Those in power who control the future are limiting themselves and their society's potential by suppressing the progress of the working class.
Those who bear the pain hold themselves to blame
Those who suffer from the oppressive systems and do not resist it are responsible for their own suffering.
Look at Petrograd!
Look at Barcelona
Fight against the land
Fight against the land & the factory owners
Same fight today against another ruling class
Learn a lesson from your past
We need to examine the revolutions that happened in Petrograd and Barcelona and their fight against owners and learn from them to fight against the ruling class today.
It can happen again
A workers' revolution can occur once more.
It can be done again!
We can achieve socialism again if we learn the right lessons from the past revolutions.
Contributed by Ava Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@JoeStunner
However you dress it up, this is a remarkable record by a sinfully forgotten band. Why on earth weren't they massive???
@santiaget
One of the best songs I've heard in the last years... amazing...
@jdclover
A lot of these comments are spot on. Neither Wash nor Mosc has to be one of the best albums of the 80s. They were also sensational live. Why were they not HUGE? A crying shame....
@ChuckMcCannzen
It's a crying shame that this band did not do more.
@jdclover
Brilliant. saw the Skins several times through the 80's, what a great band. It's tragic IMHO they never went on to make more music.
@Eamonnceannt
Loved this band, brilliant.
@jdclover
I saw the Redskins several times. They were continuing the real skin legacy in the UK which was strongly connected with Jamaican culture and, of course, music and was a positive statement by working-class kids. In the eighties the Skins were fragmenting and becoming increasingly nationalistic and racist.I was at a GLC concert when skins bottled them off the stage. IMHO the skin movement was finished from around that time in the UK at least.
@StillOnFire
A great track, had no idea there was a music video to this, so thanks!
@IClassStruggle
Classic tune. Solidarity Forever.
@ath8
gran banda,gran video.