In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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, devil's prince||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||The battle's 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|
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
I would assume after ByTor was defeated he stopped his evil ways, which is why he helped the travellers in The Necromancer.
I just love the way Alex's guitar feels like part of the story, and not just a traditional guitar solo. Adds so much atmosphere to the whole setting - his squeaks and squeals definitely won't place in a 'Top guitar solos' list (where Mr. Cobain's SLTS comes in at #21, of course), but what an effect it creates for the By-Tor vs Snow-Dog fight scene!
@chuckofalltrades -seriously, Cobain and Nirvana are pimples on Lifeson's ass.
This song is nothing short of genius. There will never be songs written again that have so much to stimulate the brain.
Let me try and figure out this fun, and mythical song.
There is a Necromancer from the depths of Hades. He has a dog named By-tor. Byt-tor is the underworld's best knight, so much that he is named the "Devil's Prince." However, By-tor is being mind-controlled by the necromancer to think that he has always been in the underworld when in reality, he was once a part of a mythical duo in the overworld.
Across the river of the underworld, a portal opens. He thinks it is his nemesis, but it was actually his friend from long ago. It is named the Snow Dog. The Snow Dog thinks that By-tor betrayed him. He doesn't know about the mind control.
The Snow Dog asks why By-tor betrayed him. By-tor says he doesn't know what he's talking about. He responds with a challenge, he can't let the Snow Dog appear in his domain, without a fight.
So then they battle.
By-tor shoots the first lightning blast. The Snow Dog blocks the attack, and fires his own blast. They both keep charging themselves up, throwing the best they got at each other. It's chaos, and the cave is being razed.
The Snow Dog wants to fight on his own turf, so he opens a portal to his dwelling place. He still doesn't want to destroy his own world, so he goes for a more assertive attack. When they're both through, he lunges at By-tor, scratching him up. By-tor of course starts to do the same. It's a battle of the claw. Each starts to wear the other out. It gets more and more bloody.
The Snow Dog then notices the mark on By-tor's forehead. He knew it could only be a mark from the underworld that is controlling his old friend. He knows what he has to do. He reaches for By-tor's forehead, and rips it apart. By-tor lets out one more major lighting blast, out of pain. The Snow Dog defends himself, but is pushed away from the massive blast.
After the explosion, the Snow Dog Looks up. Mostly all he can see is dust. But then he sees his friend in a crater, motionless. He runs over to him. His deformed friend is cold. The Snow Dog weeps.
Suddenly, By-tor opens one eye. The Snow Dog can't believe it, but eventually, he starts rejoicing.
He decides to get his healer. As he runs through his grounds, his disciples are congratulating him. Everyone is rejoicing, as dawn approaches and the dust settles.
By-tor, doesn't know what to think. He's confused. He decides to open up his own portal, and go home.
The Snow Dog comes running with the healer. He stops when he finds that By-tor, is gone.
By-Tor, knight of darkness, Centurion of evil, devil's prince? In Caress of Steel, doesn't By-Tor kill the Necromancer and save the three travelers?
What other bands use words like fray and knell? Pratt is a lyrical genius!
Ahh, the great battle between Geddy and Alex
the names come from 2 dogs that the boys saw at a party one time. one liked to bite people so they called it biter, or by tor. the other was white, hence the name snow dog. the video for this on the vapor trails tour was hilarious.
Alex Lifeson is labled as "Snow Dog" and Geddy Lee as "By-Tor" on the Fly By Night album. Snow Dog appears on the next album Caress Of Steel in the song The Necromancer
Excuse me By-Tor appears in The Necromancer not Snow Dog