Anthem
Words and music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
Know your place in life is where you want to be
Dont 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 ground and they wont 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 -- theres no one else
More worth living for
Begging hands and bleeding hearts will
Only cry out for more
Well, I know theyve always told you
Selfishness was wrong
Yet it was for me, not you, i
Came to write this song
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Related quotes
Half The World
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Half the world hates
What half the world does every day
Half the world waits
While half gets on with it anyway
Half the world lives
Half the world makes
Half the world gives
While the other half takes
Half the world is
Half the world was
Half the world thinks
While the other half does
Half the world talks
With half a mind on what they say
Half the world walks
With half a mind to run away
Half the world lies
Half the world learns
Half the world flies
As half the world turns
Half the world cries
Half the world laughs
Half the world tries
To be the other half
Half of us divided like a torn-up photograph half of us are
Trying to reach the other half
Half the world cares
While half the world is wasting the day
Half the world shares
While half the world is stealing away
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Territories
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
I see the middle kingdom between heaven and earth
Like the chinese call the country of their birth
We all figure that our homes are set above
Other people than the ones we know and love
In every place with a name
They play the same territorial game
Hiding behind the lines
Sending up warning signs
The whole wide world
An endless universe
Yet we keep looking through
The eyeglass in reverse
Dont feed the people
But we feed the machines
Cant really feel
What international means
In different circles
We keep holding our ground
In different circles
We keep spinning round and round
We see so many tribes -- overrun and undermined
While their invaders dream of lands theyve left behind
Better people -- better food -- and better beer
Why move around the world when eden was so near?
The bosses get talking so tough
And if that wasnt evil enough
We get the drunken and passionate pride
Of the citizens along for the ride
They shoot without shame
In the name of a piece of dirt
For a change of accent
Or the colour of your shirt
Better the pride that resides
In a citizen of the world
Than the pride that divides
When a colourful rag is unfurled
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Fountain Of Lamneth
I. in the valley
Words and music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
I am born
I am me
I am new
I am free
Look at me
I am young
Sight unseen
Life unsung
My eyes have just been opened
And theyre open very wide
Images around me
Dont identify inside
Just one blur I recognize
The one that soothes and feeds
My way of life is easy
And as simple are my needs
Yet my eyes are drawn toward
The mountain in the east
Fascinates and captivates
Gives my heart no peace
The mountain holds the sunrise
In the prison of the night
Till bursting forth from rocky chains
The valley floods with light
Living one long sunrise
For to me all things are new
Ive never watched the sky grow pale
Or strolled through fields of dew
I do not know of dust to dust
I live from breath to breath
I live to climb that mountain to
The fountain of lamneth
Ii. didacts and narpets
Words and music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
Listen...
Iii. no one at the bridge
Words and music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
Crying back to consciousness
The coldness grips my skin
The sky is pitching violently
Drawn by shrieking winds
Seaspray blurs my vision
Waves roll by so fast
Save my ship of freedom
Im lashed helpless to the mast
Call out for direction
And theres no one there to steer
Shout out for salvation
But theres no one there to hear
Cry out supplication
For the maelstrom is near
Scream out desperation
But no one cares to hear
Remembering when first I held
The wheel in my own hands
I took the helm so eagerly
And sailed for distant lands
But now the seas too heavy
And I just dont understand
Why must my crew desert me
When I need a guiding hand
Iv. panacea
Words and music by geddy lee and neil peart
The whiteness of confusion
Is unfolding from my mind
I stare around in wonder
Have I left my life behind
I catch the scent of ambergris
And turn my head... surprised
My gaze is caught and held
And I am helpless, mesmerized
Panacea -- liquid grace
Oh let me touch your gentle face
Enchantment falls around me
And I know I cannot leave
Heres a meaning for my life
A shelter from the storm
Pacify my troubles with
Her body, soft and warm
Naked in our unity
A smile for every tear
Gentle hands that promise me
Comfort through the years
Yet I know I must be gone
Before the light of dawn
Panacea -- passion pure
I cant resist your gentle lure
My heart will lie beside you
And my wandering body grieves
V. bacchus plateau
Words and music by geddy lee and neil peart
Another endless day
Silhouettes of grey
Another glass of wine
Drink with eyes that shine
To days without that chill at morning
Nights time out of mind
Draw another goblet
From the cask of 43
Crimson misty memory
Hazy glimpse of me
Give me back my wonder
-- Ive something more to give
I guess it doesnt matter
-- theres not much more to live
Another foggy dawn
The mountain almost gone
Another doubtful fear
The road is not so clear
My soul grows ever weary
And the end is ever near
Vi. the fountain
Words and music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
Look... the mist is rising
And the sun is peaking through
See, the steps grow lighter
As I reach their final few
Hear, the dancing waters
I must be drawing near
Feel, my heart is pounding
With embattled hope and fear
Now, at last I fall before
The fountain of lamneth
I thought I would be singing
But Im tired... out of breath
Many journeys end here
But, the secrets told the same
Life is just a candle
And a dream must give it flame
The key, the end, the answer
Stripped of their disguise
Still its all confusion
And tears spring to my eyes
Though Ive reached a signpost
Its really not the end
Like old sol behind the mountain
Ill be coming up again...
Im in motion
I am still
I am crying
I am still
Im together
Im apart
Im forever
At the start
Still... I am
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Que Sera
They call to her from across the street
But they dont know her name
Shes in the wrong place at the wrong time
Whos to blame
She wonders how to change
The life shes living
She wonders if shell ever get away
As far as I can see, the writings on the wall
Theres no return, we live, we learn
The game goes on and on and
Que sera
I like you but I dont
Really want to take you home
Que sera
Its a lonely life
Living on my own
Que sera
Whats it gonna be, whats it gonna be
She left her home when she was seventeen
Simply disappeared in the rain
Those were bad times so it was high time
She knows shed do it again
She wonders how
Shes gonna make a living
She wonders if shell make it through the day
As far as I can see, Ive seen it all before
A lonely girl in a big bad world
The game goes on and on and
Que sera...
song performed by by Ace Of Base
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Hand Over Fist
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
Cut the paper to the bone
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
And the rock must stand alone
I could disappear into the crowd
But not if I keep my head in the clouds
I could walk away so proud
Its easy enough if you dont laugh too loud
I thought I was okay alone
Wait for the postman and the telephone
Lost in a world of my own
I thought I could run alone
Thought I could run through the night alone
Hand over hand
Doesnt seem so much
Hand over hand
Is the strength of the common touch
You talk as we walk along
You never imagined I could be so wrong
Humming your favorite song
You know Ive hated that song for so long
How can we ever agree?
Like the rest of the world
We grow farther apart
I swear you dont listen to me
Holding my hand to my heart
Holding my fist to my racing heart
Take a walk outside myself
In some exotic land
Greet a passing stranger
Feel the strength in his hand
Feel the world expand
I feel my spirit resist
But I open up my fist
Lay hand over hand over
Hand over fist
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Something For Nothing
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee
Waiting for the winds of change
To sweep the clouds away
Waiting for the rainbows end
To cast its gold your way
Countless ways
You pass the days
Waiting for someone to call
And turn your world around
Looking for an answer to
The question you have found
Looking for
An open door
You dont get something for nothing
You dont get freedom for free
You wont get wise
With the sleep still in your eyes
No matter what your dreams might be
What you own is your own kingdom
What you do is your own glory
What you love is your own power
What you live is your own story
In your head is the answer
Let it guide you along
Let your heart be the anchor
And the beat of your own song
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Twilight Zone
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
A pleasant faced man steps up to greet you
He smiles and says hes pleased to meet you
Beneath his hat the strangeness lies
Take it off, hes got three eyes
Truth is false and logic lost
Now the fourth dimension is crossed
You have entered the twilight zone
Beyond this world strange things are known
Use the key, unlock the door
See what your fate might have in store
Come explore your dreams creation
Enter this world of imagination
Wake up lost in an empty town
Wondering why no one else is around
Look up to see a giant boy
Youve just become his brand new toy
No escape, no place to hide
Here where time and space collide
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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2112
I. overture
Words and music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
And the meek shall inherit the earth.
Ii. the temples of syrinx
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
... the massive grey walls of the temples rise from the
Heart of every federation city. I have always been awed
By them, to think that every single facet of every life is
Regulated and directed from within! our books, our music,
Our work and play are all looked after by the benevolent
Wisdom of the priests...
Weve taken care of everything
The words you hear the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
Its 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 our walls
Look around this world we 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 our walls.
Iii. discovery
Words by neil peart, music by alex lifeson
... behind my beloved waterfall, in the little room that was
Hidden beneath the cave, I found it. I brushed away the
Dust of the years, and picked it up, holding it reverently in
My hands. I had no idea what it might be, but it was
Beautiful ...
... I learned to lay my fingers across the wires, and to turn
The keys to make them sound differently. as I struck the
Wires with my other hand, I produced my first harmonious
Sounds, and soon my own music! how different it could
Be from the music of the temples! I cant wait to tell the
Priests about it! ...
What can this strange device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
Its got wires that vibrate and give music
What can this thing be that I 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 cant wait to share this new wonder
The people will all see its light
Let them all make their own music
The priests praise my name on this night
Iv. presentation
Words by neil peart, music by alex lifeson
... in the sudden silence as I finished playing, I looked up
To a circle of grim, expressionless faces. father brown
Rose to his feet, and his somnolent voice echoed
Throughout the silent temple hall. ...
... instead of the grateful joy that I expected, they were
Words of quiet rejection! instead of praise, sullen
Dismissal. I watched in shock and horror as father brown
Ground my precious instrument to splinters beneath his
Feet...
I know its most unusual
To come before you so
But Ive found an ancient miracle
I thought that you should know
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
Theres something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you
Yes, we know its nothing new
Its just a waste of time
We have no need for ancient ways
The world is doing fine
Another toy will help destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesnt fit the plan
I cant believe youre saying
These things just cant be true
Our world could use this beauty
Just think what we might do
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
Theres something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you
Dont annoy us further
We have our work to do
Just think about the average
What use have they for you?
Another toy will help destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesnt fit the plan
V. oracle: the dream
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
... I guess it was a dream, but even now it all seems so
Vivid to me. clearly yet I see the beckoning hand of the
Oracle as he stood at the summit of the staircase ...
... I see still the incredible beauty of the sculptured cities
And the pure spirit of man revealed in the lives and works
Of this world. I was overwhelmed by both wonder and
Understanding as I saw a completely different way to life,
A way that had been crushed by the federation long ago. i
Saw now how meaningless life had become with the loss
Of all these things ...
I wandered home though silent streets
And fell into a fitful sleep
Escape to realms beyond the night
Dream cant 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 works of gifted hands
That grace this strange and wondrous land
I see the hand of man arise
With hungry mind and open eyes
They left the planets long ago
The elder race still learn and grow
Their power grows with purpose strong
To claim the home where they belong
Home, to tear the temples down...
Home, to change..
Vi. soliloquy
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
... I have not left this cave for days now, it has become
My last refuge in my total despair. I have only the music of
The waterfall to comfort me now. I can no longer live
Under the control of the federation, but there is no other
Place to go. my last hope is that with my death I may pass
Into the world of my dream, and know peace at last.
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 dont think I can carry on
Carry on this cold and empty life
Oh...noo!
My spirits are low in the depths of despair
My lifeblood spills over..
Vii. grand finale
Music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
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.
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Digital Man
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
His world is under observation ---
We monitor his station
Under faces and the places
Where he traces points of view
He picks up scraps of conversation ---
Radio and radiation
From the dancers and romancers
With the answers --- but no clue
Hed love to spend the night in zion
Hes been a long while in babylon
Hed like a lovers wings to fly on
To a tropic isle of avalon
His world is under anaesthetic ---
Subdivided and synthetic
His reliance on the giants
In the science of the day
He picks up scraps of information ---
Hes adept at adaptation
cause for strangers and arrangers
Constant change is here to stay
Hes got a force field and a flexible plan
Hes got a date with fate in a black sedan
He plays fast forward for as long as he can
But he wont need a bed ---
Hes a digital man
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Norway
The wonders of Norway!
Age should speak and,
Many years ought to teach wisdom;
Look to the heavens and see,
The clouds are higher than you.
Of the deep sleep that fell unto man while,
He slumbered on his bed;
Oh Norway! Beautiful as you are,
I need to visit you again.
The wonders of Norway,
My days passed swifter than a courrier;
The wonders of Norway,
A momentary perception of joy;
The wonders of Norway,
Out of the handsome came beautiful;
My ears have heard of you and,
My eyes have seen you too;
I need to visit you again.
Can you pull Babylon with a fish hook?
Bring forth the blind who have eyes;
Can you walk on your head?
Bring forth the dearf who have ears;
Visit and know the wonders of Norway,
It will always be with you.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Closer To The Heart
Words by neil peart and peter talbot,
Music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
And the men who hold high places
Must be the ones to 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
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Available Light
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
The restless wind
Has seen all things
In every kind of light
Rising with the full moon
To go howling through the night
The sleepless wind
Has heard all things
Between the sea and sky
In the canyons of the city
You can hear the buildings cry
Oh the wind can carry
All the voices of the sea
Oh the wind can carry
All the echoes home to me
Run with wind and weather
To the music of the sea
All four winds together
Cant bring the world to me
Chase the wind around the world
I want to look at life --- in the available light
Play of light
A photograph
The way I used to be
Some half-forgotten stranger
Doesnt mean that much to me
Trick of light
Moving picture
Moments caught in flight
Make the shadows darker
Or the colors shine too bright
Oh the light can carry
All the visions of the sea
Oh the light can carry
All the images to me
Run to light from shadow
Sun gives me no rest
Promise offered in the east
Broken in the west
Chase the sun around the world
I want to look at life --- in the available light
All four winds together
Cant bring the world to me
Shadows hide the play of light
So much I want to see
Chase the light around the world
I want to look at life --- in the available light
Ill go with the wind
Ill stand in the light
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Lakeside Park
Words and music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
Midway hawkers calling
Try your luck with me
Merry-go-round wheezing
The same old melody
A thousand ten cent wonders
Who could ask for more
A pocketful of silver
The key to heavens door
Lakeside park
Willows in the breeze
Lakeside park
So many memories
Laughing rides
Midway lights
Shining stars on summer nights
Days of barefoot freedom
Racing with the waves
Nights of starlit secrets
Crackling driftwood flames
Drinking by the lighthouse
Smoking on the pier
Still we saw the magic
Fading every year
Everyone would gather on the twenty-fourth of may sitting
In the sand to watch the fireworks display dancing fires on
The beach singing songs together though its just a memory
Some memories last forever
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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It is a callous age; we have seen so many marvels that we are ashamed to marvel more; the seven wonders of the world have become seven thousand wonders.
quote by L. Frank Baum
Submitted by anonym
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Neurotica
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
You just dont get it
What it is...well, youre not really sure
You move like youre walking on this ice
Talking like youre still insecure
Time is a spiral -- space is a curve
I know you get dizzy, but try not to lose your nerve
Life is a diamond you turn into dust
Waiting for rescue, and I know you just
Dont get it
You just dont get it
Neurotica -- exotica
Its just erotica -- hypnotica
Its just psychotica -- chaotica
Its just exotica -- neurotica
You just dont get it
Baby, dont you ask yourself why?
If you dont like the answer -- forget it
You know I hate to see you cry
Fortune is random -- fate shoots from the hip
I know you get crazy, but try not to lose your grip
Life is a diamond you turn into dust
Looking for trust, and I know that you just
Dont get it
You just dont get it
Snap!
Hide in your shell, let the world go to hell
Its like russian roulette to you
Snap!
Sweat running cold, you cant face growing old
Its a personal threat to you
Snap!
The world is a cage for your impotent rage
But dont let it get to you
Snap!
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Circumstances
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
A boy alone, and so far from home
Endless rooftops from my window
I felt the gloom of empty rooms
On rainy afternoons
Sometimes, in confusion
I felt so lost and disillusioned
Innocence gave me confidence
To go up against reality
All the same
We take our chances
Laughed at by time
Tricked by circumstances
Plus a change
Plus cest la mme chose
The more that things change
The more they stay the same
Now Ive gained some understanding
Of the only world that we see
Things that I once dreamed of
Have become reality
These walls that still surround me
Still contain the same old me
Just one more whos searching for
A world that ought to be
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Virtuality
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Like a shipwrecked mariner adrift on an unknown sea
Clinging to the wreckage of the lost ship fantasy
Im a castaway, stranded in a desolate land
I can see the footprints in the virtual sand
Net boy, net girl
Send your signal round the world
Let your fingers walk and talk
And set you free
Net boy, net girl
Send your impulse round the world
Put your message in a modem
And throw it in the cyber sea
Astronauts in the weightlessness of pixellated space
Exchange graffiti with a disembodied race
I can save the universe in a grain of sand
I can hold the future in my virtual hand
Lets dance tonight
To a virtual song
Press this key
And you can play along
Lets fly tonight
On our virtual wings
Press this key
To see amazing things
Like a pair of vagabonds who wave between two passing trains
Or the glimpse of a womans smile through a window in the rain
I can smell her perfume, I can taste her lips
I can feel the voltage from her fingertips
Net boy, net girl
Send your heartbeat round the world
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Losing It
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
The dancer slows her frantic pace
In pain and desperation,
Her aching limbs and downcast face
Aglow with perspiration
Stiff as wire, her lungs on fire,
With just the briefest pause ---
The flooding through her memory,
The echoes of old applause.
She limps across the floor
And closes her bedroom door...
The writer stares with glassy eyes ---
Defies the empty page
His beard is white, his face is lined
And streaked with tears of rage.
Thirty years ago, how the words would flow
With passion and precision,
But now his mind is dark and dulled
By sickness and indecision.
And he stares out the kitchen door
Where the sun will rise no more...
Some are born to move the world ---
To live their fantasies
But most of us just dream about
The things wed like to be
Sadder still to watch it die
Than never to have known it
For you -- the blind who once could see ---
The bell tolls for thee...
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Chemistry
Words by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart,
Music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Signals transmitted
Message received
Reaction making impact ---
Invisibly
Elemental telepathy
Exchange of energy
Reaction making contact ---
Mysteriously
Eye to i
Reaction burning hotter
Two to one
Reflection on the water
H to o
No flow without the other
Oh but how
Do they make contact
With one another?
Electricity? biology?
Seems to me its chemistry
Emotion transmitted
Emotion received
Music in the abstract ---
Positively
Elemental empathy
A change of synergy
Music making contact ---
Naturally
One, two, three ---
Add without subtraction
Sound on sound
Multiplied reaction
H to o
No flow without the other
Oh but how
Do we make contact
With one another?
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Show Dont Tell
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
How many times do you hear it?
It goes on all day long
Everyone knows everything
And no ones ever wrong
Until later
Who can you believe?
Its hard to play it safe
But apart from a few good friends
We dont take anything on faith
Until later
Show dont tell
Show me dont tell me
Youve figured out the score
Show me dont tell me
Ive heard it all before
Show me dont tell me
I dont care what you say
Show me dont tell me
You can twist perceptions
Reality wont budge
You can raise objections
I will be the judge
And the jury
Ill give it due reflection
Watching from the fence
Give the jury direction
Based on the evidence
I, the jury
Show me dont tell me
Hey --- order in the court
Show me dont tell me
Lets try to keep it short
Show me dont tell me
Enough of your demands
Show me dont tell me
Witness take the stand
Show me dont tell me
Show me dont tell me
Hey --- order in the court
Show me dont tell me
Lets try to keep it short
Show me dont tell me
I dont care what you say
Show me dont tell me
Lets see exhibit a
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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