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RUSH LYRICS
"Gold" (2006 Best of/Compilation)
1. The Spirit of Radio
2. The Trees
3. Freewill
4. Xanadu
5. Bastille Day
6. By-Tor and the Snow Dog
7. Anthem
8. Closer to the Heart
9. 2112/Overture
10. The Temples of Syrinx
11. La Villa Strangiato
12. Fly By Night
13. Finding My Way
14. Working Man
15. Force Ten
1. The Spirit of Radio
Begin the day
With a friendly voice
A companion, unobtrusive
Plays that song that's so elusive
And the magic music makes your morning mood
Off on your way
Hit the open road
There is magic at your fingers
For the spirit ever lingers
Undemanding contact
In your happy solitude
Invisible airwaves
Crackle with life
Bright antennae bristle
With the energy
Emotional feedback
On a timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price -
Almost free...
All this machinery
Making modern music
Can still be open-hearted
Not so coldly charted
It's really just a question
Of your honesty
One likes to believe
In the freedom of music
But glittering prizes
And endless compromises
Shatter the illusion of integrity
"For the words of the profits,
Are written on the studio wall,
Concert hall -
Echoes with the sounds...
Of salesmen."
2. The Trees
There is unrest in the forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the Maples want more sunlight
And the Oaks ignore their pleas
The trouble with the Maples
And they're quite convinced they're right
They say the Oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the Oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made
And they wonder why the Maples
Can't be happy in their shade?
There is trouble in the forest
And the creatures all have fled
As the Maples scream 'Oppression!'
And the Oaks just shake their heads
So the Maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights
The Oaks are just too greedy
We will make them give us light
Now there's no more Oak oppression
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet,
Axe,
And saw ...
3. Freewill
There are those who think that
Life has nothing left to chance
With a host of holy horrors
To direct our aimless dance
A planet of playthings
We dance on the strings
Of powers we cannot perceive
The stars aren't aligned
Or the gods are malign
Blame is better to give than receive
You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that's clear
I will choose free will
There are those who think that
They've been dealt a losing hand
The cards were stacked against them -
They weren't born in Lotus-Land
All pre-ordained
A prisoner in chains
A victim of venomous fate
Kicked in the face
You can pray for a place
In Heaven's unearthly estate
Each of us
A cell of awareness
Imperfect and incomplete
Genetic blends
With uncertain ends
On a fortune hunt
That's far too fleet ...
4. Xanadu
"To seek the sacred river Alph
To walk the caves of ice
To break my fast on honey dew
And drink the milk of Paradise...."
I had heard the whispered tales of immortality
The deepest mystery
From an ancient book, I took a clue
I scaled the frozen mountain tops
Of eastern lands unknown
Time and Man alone
Searching for the lost - Xanadu
Xanadu -
To stand within the Pleasure Dome
Decreed by Kubla Khan
To taste anew the fruits of life
The last immortal man
To find the sacred river Alf
To walk the caves of ice
Oh, I will dine on honey dew
And drink the milk of Paradise
A thousand years have come and gone
But Time has passed me by
Stars stopped in the sky
Frozen in an everlasting view
Waiting for the world to end
Weary of the night
Praying for the light
Prison of the lost -Xanadu
Xanadu-
Held within The Pleasure Dome
Decreed by Kubla Khan
To taste my bitter triumph
As a mad immortal man
Nevermore shall I return
Escape these caves of ice
For I have dined on honey dew
And drunk the milk of Paradise
5. Bastille Day
Ooh, there's no bread let 'em eat cake
There's no end to what they'll take
Flaunt the fruits of noble birth
Wash the salt into the earth
But they're marching to Bastille Day
La guillotine will claim her bloody prize
Free the dungeons of the innocent
The king will kneel and let his kingdom rise
Blood stained velvet dirty lace
Naked fear on every face
See them bow their heads to die
As we would bow as they rode by
And we're marching to Bastille Day
La guillotine will claim her bloody prize
Sing, oh choirs of cacophony
The king has kneeled to let his kingdom rise
Lessons taught but never learned
All around us anger burns
Guide the future by the past
Long ago the mould was cast
For they marched up to Bastille Day
La Guillotine claimed her bloody prize
Hear the echoes of the centuries
Power isn't all that money buys
6. By-Tor and the Snow Dog
I - At the Tobes of Hades
The tobes of hades lit by flickering torchlight
The netherworld is gathered in the glare
Prince By-tor takes the cavern to the north light
The sign of Eth is rising in the air
By-tor, Knight of darkness
Centurion of evil
Devil's prince
II - Across the Styx
Across the river Styx out of the lamplight
His nemesis is waiting at the gate
The Snow Dog ermine glowing in the damp night
Coal black eyes shimmering with hate
By-tor and the Snow Dog
Square for battle
Let the fray begin
III - Epilogue
The battle's over and the dust is clearing
Disciples of the Snow Dog sound the knell
Rejoicing echoes as the dawn is nearing
By-tor in defeat retreats to hell
Snow Dog is victorious
The land of the Overworld
Is saved again
Is saved again
7. Anthem
Know your place in life is where you want to be
Don't let them tell you that you owe it all to me
Keep on looking forward, no use in looking 'round
Hold your head above the crowd
And they won't bring you down
Anthem of the heart and anthem of the mind
A funeral dirge for eyes gone blind
We marvel after those who sought
New wonders in the world
Wonders in the world
Wonders in the world
They wrought
Live for yourself
There's no one else more worth living for
Begging hands and bleeding hearts
Will only cry out for more
Well, I know they've always told you
Selfishness was wrong
Yet, it was for me, not you
I came to write this song
8. Closer to the Heart
And the men who hold high places
Must be the ones who start
To mould a new reality
Closer to the Heart
The Blacksmith and the artist
Reflect it in their art
Forge their creativity
Closer to the Heart
Philosophers and Ploughmen
Each must know his part
To sow a new mentality
Closer to the Heart
You can be the Captain
I will draw the Chart
Sailing into destiny
Closer to the Heart
9. 2112/Overture
I- OVERTURE
...And the meek shall inherit the earth
II- THE TEMPLES OF SYRINX
We've taken care of everything
The words you read, the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eye
It's one for all and all for one
We work together, common sons
Never need to wonder how or why
We are the priests of the temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the priests of the temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within these walls
Look around this world we've made
Equality, our stock in trade
Come and join the brotherhood of man
Oh, what a nice contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the red star proudly high in hand
We are the priests of the temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the priests of the temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within these walls
III- DISCOVERY
What can this strange device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
It's got wires that vibrate and give music
What can this thing be that I've found?
See how it sings like a sad heart
And joyously screams out its pain
Sounds that build high like a mountain
Or notes that fall gently like rain
I can't wait to share this new wonder
The people will all see its light
Let them all make their own music
The priest praise my name on this night
IV- PRESENTATION
I know it's most unusual
To come before you so
But I've found an ancient miracle
I thought that you should know
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here
As strong as life
I know that it will reach you
Yes, we know it's nothing new
It's just a waste of time
We have no need for ancient ways
Our world is doing fine
Another toy that helped destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan, no how
I can't believe you're saying
These things just can't be true
Our world could use this beauty
Just think what we might do
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
There's something here
That's as strong as life
I know that it will reach you
Don't annoy us further
Oh, we have our work to do
Just think about the average
What use have they for you?
Another toy that helped destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesn't fit the plan
V- ORACLE: THE DREAM
I wandered home through silent streets
And fell into a fitful sleep
Escape to realms beyond the night
Dream, can't you show me the light?
I stand atop a spiral stair
An oracle confronts me there
He leads me on light years away
Through astral nights, galactic days
I see the work of gifted hands
That grace this strange and wondrous land
I see the hands of man arise
With hungry mind and open eyes
They left our planets long ago
The elder race still learn and grow
The power grows with purpose strong
To claim the home where they belong
Home to tear the temples down,
Home to change
VI- SOLILOQUY
The sleep is still in my eyes
The dream is still in my head
I heave a sigh and sadly smile
And lie a while in bed
I wish that it might come to pass
Not fade like all my dreams
Just think of what my life might be
In a world like I have seen
I don't think I can carry on,
Carry on this cold and empty life
My spirits are low in the depths of despair,
My life's blood spills over
VII- GRAND FINALE
Attention, all planets of the Solar Federation
Attention, all planets of the Solar Federation
Attention, all planets of the Solar Federation
We have assumed control
We have assumed control
We have assumed control
10. The Temples of Syrinx
And the meek shall inherit the earth....
We've taken care of everything
The words your read, the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eye
It's one for all, none for one
We work together common sons
Never need to wonder how or why
We are the priests of the temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the priests of the temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls
Look around this world we've made
Equality our stock and trade
Come and join the brotherhood of man
Oh what a nice contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the Red Star proudly high in hand
We are the priests of the temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the priests of the temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls
11. La Villa Strangiato
(An exercise in self-indulgence)
(Instrumental)
Including:
i - Buenos Nochas, Mein Froinds!
ii -To sleep, perchance to dream ...
iii - Strangiato theme
iv - A Lerxst in Wonderland
v - Monsters!
vi - The Ghost of the Aragon
vii - Danforth and Pape
viii - The Waltz of the Shreves
ix - Never turn your back on a Monster!
x - Monsters! (Reprise)
xi - Strangiato theme (Reprise)
xii - A Farewell to Things
12. Fly By Night
Why try? I know why
This feeling inside me says
It's time I was gone
Clear head, new life ahead
It's time I was king now
Not just one more pawn
Fly by night away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night, goodbye my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
Moonrise, thoughtful eyes
Staring back at me
From the window beside
No fright, or hind sight
Leaving behind that empty feeling inside
Start a new chapter, I find what I'm after
Is changing every day
The change of the seasons, enough of a reason
To want to get away
Quiet and pensive, my thoughts apprehensive
The hours drift away
Leaving my home land, playing a lone hand
My life begins today
Fly by night away from here
Change my life again
Fly by night, goodbye my dear
My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend
13. Finding My Way
Yeah, Oh Yeah !
Ooh, said I, I'm coming out to get you
Ooh, said I, I'm coming out to find you
Ooh, yeah. Ooh, yeah - Findin' my way!
I've been gone so long
I've lost count of the years
Well, I sang some sad songs
Oh yes, and cried some bad tears
Look out! I'm comin' Whoa, whoa
Look out! I'm comin' Whoa, yeah
I'm runnin', finding my way back home
Oh yeah! I'm comin'
Ooh babe, I said I'm runnin'
Whoa babe, I said I'm comin'
To get you mama, said I'm runnin'
Ooh babe, I said I'm comin'
For you babe, I said I'm runnin'
Ooh yes babe, I said I'm comin'
To get you babe, I said I'm comin'
Ooh yeah, I'm findin' my way back home
Well, I've had it for now
Livin' on the road
Ooh, Yeah. Ooh, Yeah. Findin' my way !
14. Working Man
I get up at seven, yeah
And I go to work at nine
I got no time for livin'
Yes, I'm workin' all the time
It seems to me I could live my life
A lot better than I think I am
I guess that's why they call me
They call me the workin' man
I get home at five o'clock
And I take myself out a nice, cold beer
Always seem to be wonderin' why
There's nothin' goin' down here
It seems to me I could live my life
A lot better than I think I am
I guess that's why they call me
They call me the workin' man
Yeah, they call me the workin' man
I guess that's what I am
15. Force Ten
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