Madrigal
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
When the dragons grow too mighty
To slay with pen or sword
I grow weary of the battle
And the storm I walk toward
When all around is madness
And theres no safe port in view
I long to turn my path homeward
To stop awhile with you
When life becomes so barren
And as cold as winter skies
Theres a beacon in the darkness
In a distant pair of eyes
In vain to search for order
In vain to search for truth
But these things can still be given
Your love has shown me proof
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Related quotes
Jacobs Ladder
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
The clouds prepare for battle
In the dark and brooding silence
Bruised and sullen stormclouds
Have the light of day obscured
Looming low and ominous
In twilight premature
Thunderheads are rumbling
In a distant overture
All at once,
The clouds are parted
Light streams down
In bright unbroken beams
Follow mens eyes
As they look to the skies
The shifting shafts of shining
Weave the fabric of their dreams...
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
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
Vote! | Copy!
A Farewell To Kings
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
When they turn the pages of history
When these days have passed long ago
Will they read of us with sadness
For the seeds that we let grow
We turned our gaze
From the castles in the distance
Eyes cast down
On the path of least resistance
Cities full of hatred
Fear and lies
Withered hearts
And cruel, tormented eyes
Scheming demons
Dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude
And scoffing at the wise
The hypocrites are slandering
The sacred halls of truth
Ancient nobles showering
Their bitterness on youth
Cant we find
The minds that made us strong
Cant we learn
To feel whats right and wrong
Cities full of hatred
Fear and lies
Withered hearts
And cruel, tormented eyes
Scheming demons
Dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude
And scoffing at the wise
Cant we raise our eyes
And make a start
Cant we find the minds
To lead us closer to the heart
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Bravado
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
If we burn our wings
Flying too close to the sun
If the moment of glory
Is over before its begun
If the dream is won --
Though everything is lost
We will pay the price,
But we will not count the cost
When the dust has cleared
And victory denied
A summit too lofty
River a little too wide
If we keep our pride --
Though paradise is lost
We will pay the price,
But we will not count the cost
And if the music stops
Theres only the sound of the rain
All the hope and glory
All the sacrifice in vain
[and] if love remains
Though everything is lost
We will pay the price,
But we will not count the cost
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Open Secrets
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
It went right by me --
At the time it went over my head
I was looking out the window
I should have looked
At your face instead
It went right by me --
Just another wall
There should have been a moment
When we let our barriers fall
I never meant
What youre thinking --
That is not what I meant at all...
Well I guess we all
Have these feelings
We cant leave unreconciled
Some of them burned on our ceilings
Some of them learned as a child
The things that were concealing
Will never let us grow
Time will do its healing
Youve got to let it go
Closed for my protection --
Open to your scorn
Between these two directions
My heart is sometimes torn
I lie awake with my secrets
Spinning around my head
Something that somehow
Escaped me --
Something you shouldnt have said
I was looking out the window
I should have looked
At your face instead...
I find no absolution
In my rational point of view
Maybe some things are instinctive
But theres one thing you could do
You could try to understand me --
I could try to understand you...
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
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
Vote! | Copy!
Entre Nous
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
We are secrets to each other
Each ones life a novel
No-one else has read
Even joined in bonds of love
Were linked to one another
By such slender threads
We are planets to each other
Drifting in our orbits
To a brief eclipse
Each of us a world apart
Alone and yet together
Like two passing ships
Just between us
I think its time for us to recognize
The differences we sometimes feared to show
Just between us
I think its time for us to realize
The spaces in between
Leave room
For you and I to grow
We are strangers to each other
Full of sliding panels
An illusion show
Acting well-rehearsed routines
Or playing from the heart?
Its hard for one to know
We are islands to each other
Building hopeful bridges
On the troubled sea
Some are burned or swept away
Some we would not choose
But were not always free
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Turn The Page
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Nothing can survive in a vacuum
No one can exists all alone
We pretend things only happen to strangers
Weve all got problems of our own
Its enough to learn
To share our pleasures
We cant sooth pain with sympathy
All that we can do is be reminded --
We shake our heads at the tragedy
Every day were standing
In a time capsule
Racing down a river from the past
Every day were standing
In a wind tunnel
Facing down the future coming fast
Its just the age
Its just a stage --
We disengage --
We turn the page...
Looking at
The long-range forecast
Catching all the names in the news
Checking out
The state of the nation
Learning the environmental blues
Truth is after all a moving target
Hairs to split,
And pieces that dont fit how can anybody be enlightened?
Truth is after all so poorly lit
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Driven
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Driven up and down in circles
Skidding down a road of black ice
Staring in and out storm windows
Driven to a fools paradise
But its my turn to drive
Driven to the margin of error
Driven to the edge of control
Driven to the margin of terror
Driven to the edge of a deep, dark hole
Driven day and night in circles
Spinning like a whirlwind of leaves
Stealing in and out back alleys
Driven to another den of thieves
But its my turn to drive
Driven in --- driven to the edge
Driven out --- on the thin end of the wedge
Driven off --- by things Ive never seen
Driven on --- by the road to somewhere Ive never been
Its my turn to drive
The road unwinds towards me
What was there is gone
The road unwinds before me
And I go riding on
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Resist
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
I can learn to resist
Anything but temptation
I can learn to co-exist
With anything but pain
I can learn to compromise
Anything but my desires
I can learn to get along
With all the things I cant explain
I can learn to resist
Anything but frustration
I can learn to persist
With anything but aiming low
I can learn to close my eyes
To anything but injustice
I can learn to get along
With all the things I dont know
You can surrender
Without a prayer
But never really pray
Pray without surrender
You can fight
Without ever winning
But never ever win
Without a fight
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
A Passage To Bangkok
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Our first stop is in bogota
To check columbian fields
The natives smile and pass along
A sample of their yield
Sweet jamaican pipe dreams
Golden acapulco nights
Then morocco, and the east,
Fly by morning light
Were on the train to bangkok
Aboard the thailand express
Well hit the stops along the way
We only stop for the best
Wreathed in smoke in lebanon
We burn the midnight oil
The fragrance of afghanistan
Rewards a long days toil pulling into katmandu
Smoke rings fill the air
Perfumed by a nepal night
The express gets you there
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
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
Vote! | Copy!
La Villa Strangiato
(an exercise in self-indulgence)
Music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
Instrumental
I. buenas noches, mein froinds!
Ii. to sleep, perchance to dream ...
Iii. strangiato theme
Iv. a lerxst in wonderland
V. monsters!
Vi. danforth and pape
Vii. the waltz of the shreves
Viii. never turn your back on a monster!
Ix. monsters! (reprise)
X. strangiato theme (reprise)
Xi. a farewell to things
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
The Pass
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Proud swagger out of the schoolyard
Waiting for the worlds applause
Rebel without a conscience
Martyr without a cause
Static on your frequency
Electrical storm in your veins
Raging at unreachable glory
Straining at invisible chains
And now youre trembling on a rocky ledge
Staring down into a heartless sea
Cant face life on a razors edge
Nothings what you thought it would be
All of us get lost in the darkness
Dreamers learn to steer by the stars
All of us do time in the gutter
Dreamers turn to look at the cars
Turn around and turn around and turn around
Turn around and walk the razors edge
Dont turn your back
And slam the door on me
Its not as if this barricade
Blocks the only road
Its not as if youre all alone
In wanting to explode
Someone set a bad example
Made surrender seem all right
The act of a noble warrior
Who lost the will to fight
And now youre trembling on a rocky ledge
Staring down into a heartless sea
Done with life on a razors edge
Nothings what you thought it would be
No hero in your tragedy
No daring in your escape
No salutes for your surrender
Nothing noble in your fate
Christ, what have you done?
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
By-tor & The Snow Dog
Words and music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
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
Devils 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. of the battle
Instrumental
Iv. epilogue
The battles 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
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
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
Vote! | Copy!
Force Ten
Words by neil peart and pye dubois,
Music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
Tough times demand tough talk
Demand tough hearts demand tough songs
Demand --
We can rise and fall like empires
Flow in and out like the tide
Be vain and smart, humble and dumb
We can hit and miss like pride
We can circle around like hurricanes
Dance and dream like lovers
Attack the day like birds of prey
Or scavengers under cover
Look in --
To the eye of the storm
Look out --
For the force without form
Look around --
At the sight and the sound
Look in look out look around --
We can move with savage grace
To the rhythms of the night
Cool and remote like dancing girls
In the heat of the beat and the lights
We can wear the rose of romance
An air of joie de vivre
Too-tender hearts upon our sleeves
Or skin as thick as thieves
Rising falling at force ten
We twist the world and ride the wind
Look in --
Look the storm in the eye
Look out --
To the sea and the sky
Look around --
At the sight and the sound
Look in look out look around --
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
Face Up
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
You turn my head
I spin my wheels
Running on empty --
You know how that feels
Im on a roll now --
Or is it a slide?
Cant be too careful
With that dangerous pride
If I could only reach that dial inside
And turn it up
Face up -- or you can only back down
Face up -- hit the target, or you better hit the ground
Face up -- theres still time to turn the game around
Face up -- turn it up -- or turn that wild card down
Turn it up
Dont complain
Dont explain
I dont think my new resolve
Can stand the strain
Im in a groove now --
Or is it a rut?
I need some feedback
But all the lines are cut
I get so angry, but I keep my mouth shut
And turn it up
You get all squeezed up inside
Like the days were carved in stone
You get all wired up inside
And its bad to be alone
You can go out, you can take a ride
And when you get out on your own
You get all smoothed out inside
And its good to be alone
Turn it up
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
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
Vote! | Copy!
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
Vote! | Copy!