If the revolution was televised
will you tune in, be drawn in, be glued in
to see what it is all about.
Maybe you’ll find it a drag, say the program lags,
or just channel surf right pass it,
because you didn’t know
that the revolution was going to be televised.

If the revolution was televised,
will you run to be a sponsor,
will you call to make your pledge,
will you even watch the whole thing through.
Maybe you’ll laugh at its grief
be bored that it couldn’t be brief
or just shout for some meaningless bloodshed
because you didn’t know
that the revolution was going to be televised.

If the revolution was televised live
do you picture yourself staring at some screen in awe
be caught in amazement at its high definition clarity
treat the whole thing as some commercialize charity.
Nah, your ass better be in front of the camera
witnessing, participating, contributing to the cause
because your ass doesn’t need to know what time it’s on
because your ass better be bring it on.

Your television sets will not bring you satisfaction
as much as you bask in its instant gratification.
Your television sets will not set you a reminder
of when the next revolution will come along.
Your television sets will not TiVo the injustice,
the distorted acts of cruelty,
nor the picture clear lies fed to our children.

If the revolution was televised
it will not come to you as a sitcom,
It will not come as some make believe “reality” show,
it will not come in this puppetry they call news.
By all means continue to sit behind that tube
that you bought with hard earn money
not realizing that they bought you into wanting more.
After all they revolutionize you from enjoying it, to needing it.

Maybe a revolution will be televised
just not the revolution you’ve been looking for.