A Farewell to Kings

Produced by

This is the title track of Rush’s album A Farewell to Kings. With lyrics written by their drummer, Neil Peart, the song is about dealing with hypocrisy and finding your own… Read More

Sep. 1, 19771 viewer15.7K views

A Farewell to Kings Lyrics

[Instrumental Intro 0:00-1:39]

[Verse 1]
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

[Chorus]
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

[Verse 2]
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?
Can't we learn to feel what's right and what's wrong?
What's wrong?

[Instrumental Break 3:11-4:29]

[Chorus]
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

[Outro]
Can't we raise our eyes and make a start?
Can't we find the minds to lead us closer to the Heart?

About

This is the title track of Rush’s album A Farewell to Kings. With lyrics written by their drummer, Neil Peart, the song is about dealing with hypocrisy and finding your own way by looking within yourself. There is a fair amount of Middle Ages imagery here (castles, knights), which show us how this challenge has been going on for ages