2112 Overture/The Temples of Syrinx
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...Anonymous, 2112And the meek shall inherit the earth.II. THE 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 everythingThe words you hear the songs you singThe pictures that give pleasure to your eyes.It's one for all and all for oneWe work together common sonsNever need to wonder how or why.We are the Priests, of the Temples of SyrinxOur great computers fill the hallowed halls.We are the Priests, of the Temples of SyrinxAll the gifts of life are held within our walls.Look around this world we madeEquality our stock in tradeCome and join the Brotherhood of ManOh what a nice contented worldLet the banners be unfurledHold the Red Star proudly high in hand.We are the Priests, of the Temples of SyrinxOur great computers fill the hallowed halls.We are the Priests, of the Temples of SyrinxAll 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 can't wait to tell the priests about it! ...What can this strange device be?When I touch it, it gives forth a soundIt's got wires that vibrate and give musicWhat can this thing be that I found?See how it sings like a sad heartAnd joyously screams out its painChords that build high like a mountainOr notes that fall gently like rain.I can't wait to share this new wonderThe people will all see its lightLet them all make their own musicThe 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, 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 it's most unusualTo come before you soBut I've found an ancient miracleI thought that you should knowListen to my musicAnd hear what it can doThere's something here as strong as lifeI know that it will reach you.The Priests:Yes, we know it's nothing newIt's just a waste of timeWe have no need for ancient waysThe world is doing fineAnother toy will help destroyThe elder race of manForget about your silly whimIt doesn't fit the plan.I can't believe you're sayingThese things just can't be trueOur world could use this beautyJust think what we might do.Listen to my musicAnd hear what it can doThere's something here as strong as lifeI know that it will reach you.The Priests:Don't annoy us furtherWe have our work to do.Just think about the averageWhat use have they for you?Another toy will help destroyThe elder race of manForget about your silly whimIt doesn't fit the plan.V. ORACLE: THE DREAM-------------------------------------------------------------... 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 the silent streetsAnd fell into a fitful sleepEscape to realms beyond the nightDream can't you show me the light?I stand atop a spiral stairAn oracle confronts me thereHe leads me on light years awayThrough astral nights, galactic daysI see the works of gifted handsThat grace this strange and wondrous landI see the hand of man ariseWith hungry mind and open eyesThey left the planet long agoThe elder race still learn and growTheir power grows with purpose strongTo claim the home where they belongHome, to tear the Temples down...Home, to change..VI. SOLILOQUY-------------------------------------------------------------... 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 eyesThe dream is still in my headI heave a sigh and sadly smileAnd lie a while in bedI wish that it might come to passNot fade like all my dreamsJust think of what my life might beIn a world like I have seenI don't think I can carry onCarry on this cold and empty lifeOh...no.My spirits are low in the depths of despairMy lifeblood spills over..VII. GRAND FINALE-------------------------------------------------------------ATTENTION ALL PLANETS OF THE SOLAR FEDERATIONATTENTION ALL PLANETS OF THE SOLAR FEDERATIONATTENTION ALL PLANETS OF THE SOLAR FEDERATIONWE HAVE ASSUMED CONTROLWE HAVE ASSUMED CONTROLWE HAVE ASSUMED CONTROL
Lyrics by Rush
1979 Interview, Hamilton, Ivor Wynne Stadium Der Trommler O Baterista The Boys In Brazil 2112 2112 (Live) 2112 [DVD] 2112 Overture 2112 Presentation 2112 Soliloquy 2112: Discovery 2112: Grand Finale 2112: III. Discovery 2112: Overture/The Temples of Syrinx/Discovery/Pre... 2112: The Temples of Syrinx 2112xanaduworking man A Farewell to Kings [R30] A FAREWELL TO KINGS A Farewell To Kings (A Farewell To Kings) A PASSAGE TO BANGKOK A Passage to Bangkok [*] A Passage to Bangkok [Live] Afterimage ALIEN SHORE Anagram ANAGRAM (for Mongo) Analog Kid ANIMATE Annihilation Gun ANTHEM Anthem (Fly By Night) Anthem [Capitol Theatre, December 10, 1976, Passai... Anthem [Live] AVAILABLE LIGHT BASTILLE DAY Bastille Day (Caress Of Steel) Bastille Day [Live] Bastille Day [R30] BEFORE AND AFTER Beneath, Between & Behind Beneath, Between & Behind Beneath, Between And Behind Beneath, Between, Behind Best I Can Between Sun & Moon Between Sun & Moon (Live) Between Sun and Moon Between the Wheels Between the Wheels [R30] Big Money Big Wheel BRAVADO Bravado (Live) Bravest Face BU2B2 BY-TOR AND THE SNOW DOG By-Tor and the Snow Dog (Live) By-Tor And The Snow Dog/Cygnus X-1/Working Man Carnies Ceiling Unlimited Ceiling Unlimited [Remixed] CHAIN LIGHTNING CHEMISTRY Cinderalla Man CINDERELLA MAN CIRCUMSTANCES Clockwork Angels Closer To The Heart Closer To The Heart (A Farewell To Kings) Closer to the Heart [DVD] Closer to the Heart [Live Birmingham England, 1988... Closer to the Heart [Rush in Rio] Cold Fire COUNTDOWN Crossroads CUT TO THE CHASE Cygnus X - 1 Book ii: Hemispheres CYGNUS X-1 Cygnus X-1 Book I: The Voyage Cygnus X-1 Book II Cygnus X-1 Book II Hemispheres: Prelude/Apollo Bri... Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres Cygnus X-1 Book Ii: Hemispheres I Prelude Cygnus X-1, Book II Hemispheres: Prelude/Appollo B... Cygnus X-1, Book II: Hemispheres Cygnus X-1, Book One: The Voyage Cygnus X1 Der Trommler DIFFERENT STRINGS DIGITAL MAN Distant Early Warning Distant Early Warning (Grace Under Pressure) Distant Early Warning (Live) Distant Early Warning [DVD] DOG YEARS Double Agent DREAMLINE Dreamline (Live) DRIVEN Driven (Live) Earthshine Earthshine (Live) Earthshine [R30] Earthshine [Remix] EMOTION DETECTOR ENTRE NOUS Everyday Glory FACE UP Faithless Far Cry FINDING MY WAY Finding My Way (intro) Finding My Way (Rush) Finding My Way [Mpeg 1 from Rock Concert] FLY BY NIGHT Fly By Night (Fly By Night) Fly by Night [DVD] Fly By Night / In The Mood Fly by Night/In the Mood For What It's Worth For What It's Worth FORCE TEN Force Ten (Phoenix, AZ) Force Ten (Hold Your Fire) Force Ten (Phoenix, AZ) Force Ten [Live Phoenix Arizona, 1988] Free Will FREEWILL Freewill (Live) Freewill (Permanent Waves) Freeze Freeze -- Part IV Of 'Fear' Freeze (Fear, Pt. 4) Freeze (Part IV of "Fear") Freeze (Part IV of Fear) Freeze (Pt. IV of Fear) GHOST OF A CHANCE Ghost of a Chance [Live] Ghost Rider Ghost Rider (Live) Ghost Rider [Remixed] Grace To Grace GRAND DESIGNS HALF THE WORLD Halo Effect HAND OVER FIST Headlong Flight Heart Full Of Soul Hemispheres Prelude HERE AGAIN Heresy HIGH WATER Home On The Strange How It Is How It is [Remixed] I THINK I'M GOING BALD I Think I'm Going Bald I. Prelude Ii Apollo: Bringer Of Wisdom Ii. Apollo: Bringer Of Wisdom Iii Dionysus: Bringer Of Love Iii. Dionysus: Bringer Of Love IN THE END In The End [Live] IN THE MOOD In the Mood [Mpeg1 from Rock Concert] Iv Armageddon: The Battle Of Heart And Mind Iv. Armageddon: The Battle Of Heart And Mind Jacob's Ladder Jacob's Ladder Kid Gloves LA VILLA STRANGIATO La Villa Strangiato (An Exercise In Self-Indulgenc La Villa Strangiato (Instrumental) (Hemispheres) LAKESIDE PARK Lakeside Park (Caress Of Steel) Lakeside Park [Capitol Theatre, Passaic, New Jerse... Larger Bowl LEAVE THAT THING ALONE Leave That Thing Alone [DVD] Lessons LIMBO LIMELIGHT Limelight (Live) Limelight (Moving Pictures) LOCK AND KEY LOSING IT Losing It [*] MADRIGAL Main Monkey Business Making Memories Malignant Narcissism/De Slagwerker Mandrigal MANHATTAN PROJECT Manhattan Project (Power Windows) MARATHON Marathon [DVD] Marc Live MIDDLETOWN DREAMS MISSION Moving To Bohemia Mr. Soul My Favorite Headache Mystic Rhythms Mystic Rhythms (Grace Under Pressure) Mystic Rhythms (Live) Mystic Rhythms [Live] Mystic Rhythms [R30] NATURAL SCIENCE Natural Science [Rush in Rio] Natural Science: I. Tide Pools/II. Hyperspace/III.... NEED SOME LOVE NEUROTICA New World Man New World Man (Live) New World Man (Signals) New World Man [*] No country for old hens NOBODY'S HERO Nobody's Hero Nobodys Hero Nocturne Nocturne [Remixed] Not Fade Away (The Crickets cover) One Little Victory One Little Victory (Live) One Little Victory [#] One Little Victory [Remix] One Little Victory [Remixed] OPEN SECRETS Out Of The Cradle Outro Panacea Peaceable Kingdom Peaceable Kingdom [Remixed] PRESTO Priests Of Syrinx Prime Mover R30 Overture Red Barchetta Red Barchetta (Moving Pictures) Red Barchetta [*] red lenses Red Sector 'A' Red Sector 'A' (Live) Red Sector A Red Sector A (Grace Under Pressure) Red Sector A [Clockwork Angels Tour] RED TIDE RESIST Resist (Live) Rivendell ROLL THE BONES Roll the Bones (Live) Runaway Train Rush Rush - Subdivisions Rush - Tom Sawyer SCARS SECOND NATURE Secret Touch Secret Touch [R30] Secret Touch [Remixed] Seven And Seven Is Seven Cities Of Gold SHOW DON'T TELL Show Don't Tell (Presto) Show Don't Tell Since You've Been Gone Since You've Been Gone Slipping SOMETHING FOR NOTHING Something for Nothing [*] Something For Nothing [Live] Spindrift Spirit of Radio (Live) Stars Look Down STICK IT OUT Still Subdivisions Subdivisions (Signals) Subdivisions [Clockwork Angels Tour] Subdivisions [Live Birmingham England, 1988] Summertime Blues Summertime Blues [R30] SUPERCONDUCTOR Sweet Miracle Sweet Miracle [Remixed] TAI SHAN TAKE A FRIEND Tears TERRITORIES TEST FOR ECHO THE ANALOG KID The Analog Kid [Clockwork Angels Tour] The Anarchist The Angel's Share The Angel's Share THE BIG MONEY The Big Money (Power Windows) The Big Money [Clockwork Angels Tour] The Big Money [Live Birmingham England, 1988] THE BIG WHEEL The Body Electric The Body Electric [Clockwork Angels Tour] THE CAMERA EYE The Camera Eye [*] THE COLOR OF RIGHT The Enemy Within The Enemy Within (Part I of Fear) The Enemy Within (Part One Of Fear) THE FOUNTAIN OF LAMNETH The Fountain of Lamneth: In the Valley/Didacts and... The Garden THE NECROMANCER The Necromancer: Into Darkness/Under the Shadow/Re... The Pass The Pass (Live) The Present Tense The Seeker THE SPEED OF LOVE The Sphere: A Kind Of Dream THE SPIRIT OF RADIO The Spirit Of Radio (Permanent Waves) The Spirit of Radio [DVD] The Spirit of Radio [DVD][Take] The Spirit Of Radio [Live] The Stars Look Down [Remixed] The Temples Of Syrinx The Temples Of Syrinx (2112) The Trees The Trees (Hemispheres) The Trees (Live) The Trees [R30] THE TWILIGHT ZONE The Weapon The Weapon (Part Ii Of Fear) The Weapon (Part Two of Fear) The Weapon [*] THE WEAPON Part II of 'Fear' The world is the world is The Wreckers TIME STAND STILL Time Stand Still (Hold Your Fire) Time Stand Still [Live Birmingham England, 1988] Time Stands Still Tom Sawyer Tom Sawyer (Live) Tom Sawyer (Moving Pictures) Tom Sawyer [*] Tom Sawyer [Clockwork Angels Tour] Trees TURN THE PAGE V Cygnus: Bringer Of Balance V. Cygnus: Bringer Of Balance Vapor Trail Vapor Trail [Remixed] VIRTUALITY VITAL SIGNS Vital Signs (Live) Vital Signs [*] WAR PAINT Way the Wind Blows WHAT YOU'RE DOING What You're Doing (Rush, All The World's A Stage) What You're Doing [Live] What You're Doing What You’re Doing WHERE'S MY THING Where's My Thing? Window To The World Wish Them Well Witch Hunt Witch Hunt [*] WITCH HUNT part III of 'Fear' Workin' Them Angels Workin' Them Angels Working At Perfekt Working Man Working Man (Rush) Working man [Laura Secord Secondary School, 1974, ... Working Man/Finding My Way XANADU Xanadu [DVD] Xanadu [R30] YOU BET YOUR LIFE YYZ [*] YYZ [Live]