Posted on 05/30/2024 7:35:45 PM PDT by chuck allen
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 Can't we find The minds that made us strong? Oh, can't we learn To feel what's right and what's wrong? What's 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
Whoa, can't we raise our eyes And make a start? Can't we find the minds To lead us closer to the heart?
Yes, I heard about that much later. Early on, my friends and I didn’t know Rush was ever criticized for their political views. We didn’t even view them as political. We just liked their music, and their lyrics sent a message we agreed with. At the time, most of us were worried about the Soviet Union and the spread of communism.
Yes, Ghost Rider really let us see Neil searching for and finding the real meaning of life.
He will always live on in his writings, lyrics, and even the Lodge of his name in Lakeside Park.
“Caress of Steel” is a great album. Indeed, Neil wrote about the past, the future, and the present. He started out a fan of Ayn Rand. He may have changed his mind later, but his message was spot on in the 70’s, 80’s, early 90’s. I’m not as familiar with their later music.
Their last three albums were made after a break/pause in the band after Neil’s daughter died in a car wreck, and then his wife dying of cancer months later.
Those albums seem to be written using Neil’s grief, and then healing, as inspiration rather than too much using social or political inspiration.
Their last album is there only real concept album, where each song traces a man’s life. No doubt based on Neil’s experiences. The last song (”The Garden”) of their last album (”Clockwork Angels”) is a wonderful “swan song”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsBNzf5JlZA
“The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect
So hard to earn, so easily burned.”
A beautiful piece of music. Yes, it does make a wonderful swan song. My kids were fans of Rush’s 2000’s music, which they discovered all on their own. Wish I’d paid more attention when they told me about that album.
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