Broken Hallelujah

You've no doubt heard the expression, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". It's been quoted and parodied many times. But do you know what it means or where it came from?

"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" is a poem and song by Gil Scott-Heron which orginated about the political and social turmoil of 1970s America and is still socially relevant today. It first appeared on the 1970 album Small Talk at 125th and Lenox, on which Scott-Heron was accompanied only by congas and bongo drums.

Don Letts, a key figure in British punk's first wave, made "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" documentary, which is still showing around the world. Letts happens to be in Canada this week for the most recent screening. (More on Letts)

Read "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" lyrics here or Listen to the mp3.