Lyrics 2112 - Rush

I. Overture
(I lie awake, staring out at the bleakness of Megadon. ...
...City and sky become one, ...
...merging into a single plane, ...
... a vast sea of unbroken grey. ...
...The Twin Moons, just two pale orbs as they ...
...trace their way across the steely sky. ...
...I used to think I had a pretty good life here,...
...just plugging into my machine for the day,...
...then watching Templevision ...
... or reading a Temple Paper in the evening. ...
... My friend Jon always said it was nicer here ...
...than under the atmospheric domes of the Outer Planets. ...
... We have had peace since 2062, ...
... when the surviving planets were banded together ...
... under the Red Star of the Solar Federation. ...
...The less fortunate gave us a few new moons. ...
... I believed what I was told, I thought it was a good life. ...
... I thought I was happy. ...
... Then I found something that changed it all)
"And the meek shall inherit the earth."
II. Temples of Syrinx
(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)
We've taken care of everything
From the words you read to the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes.
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 our 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 our hallowed halls.
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls.
III. Discovery
(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.
It's 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 can't 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
(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, ...
... there 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 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,
The 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.
I can't believe you're saying,
These things just can't be true.
Our world could use this beauty,