The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
To seek the sacred river Alph
To walk the caves of ice
To break my fast on honey dew
And drink the milk of paradise
I had heard the whispered tales
Of immortality
The deepest mystery
From an ancient book, I took a clue
I scaled the frozen mountain tops
Of eastern lands unknown
Time and man alone
Searching for the lost, Xanadu
Xanadu
To stand within the pleasure dome
Decreed by Kubla Khan
To taste anew the fruits of life
The last immortal man
To find the sacred river Alph
To walk the caves of ice
Oh, I will dine on honey dew
And drink the milk of paradise, oh, paradise
A thousand years have come and gone
But time has passed me by
Stars stopped in the sky
Frozen in an everlasting view
Waiting for the world to end
Weary of the night
Praying for the light
Prison of the lost, Xanadu
Xanadu
Held within the pleasure dome
Decreed by Kubla Khan
To taste my bitter triumph
As a man, immortal man
Never more shall I return
Escape these caves of ice
For I have dined on honey dew
And drunk the milk of paradise, whoa, paradise
To walk the caves of ice
To break my fast on honey dew
And drink the milk of paradise
I had heard the whispered tales
Of immortality
The deepest mystery
From an ancient book, I took a clue
I scaled the frozen mountain tops
Of eastern lands unknown
Time and man alone
Searching for the lost, Xanadu
Xanadu
To stand within the pleasure dome
Decreed by Kubla Khan
To taste anew the fruits of life
The last immortal man
To find the sacred river Alph
To walk the caves of ice
Oh, I will dine on honey dew
And drink the milk of paradise, oh, paradise
A thousand years have come and gone
But time has passed me by
Stars stopped in the sky
Frozen in an everlasting view
Waiting for the world to end
Weary of the night
Praying for the light
Prison of the lost, Xanadu
Xanadu
Held within the pleasure dome
Decreed by Kubla Khan
To taste my bitter triumph
As a man, immortal man
Never more shall I return
Escape these caves of ice
For I have dined on honey dew
And drunk the milk of paradise, whoa, paradise
Lyrics submitted by crackermcnacca, edited by reverb75, mrsuitcase
Xanadu Lyrics as written by Alex Lifeson Geddy Lee
Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
To me, this song is about the story of one man who has a single goal: to find and live for all eternity in Xanadu. The promises of Kubla Khan of a wonderland where you may walk along the river Alph, explore and navigate the spectacular ice caves, and eat like a king on honey for all eternity in the beauty of nature. He finds it and is immedatly overbaringly excited and content. But, over a thousand years, he realizes what was once his paradise is now his prison, and wishes that he could escape this land.
Overall, I beleive the song is about self indulgence and greed, to major obstacles people face in life. This songs character decides that he will live there without any consideration of the future, his mind clouded by the idea of instant gratification. However, this was a bad choice and now, 1000 years later, he has come to know Xanadu as a prison, not a paradise.
This is undoubtedly one of my favorite Rush songs. It exemplifies the technical prowess of Alex Lifesons guitar playing, vocal range and bass/synthesizer playing of Geddy Lee, and unbeleivable percussion skill and song writing ability of Neil Peart. Xanadu steals the show on A Farwell to Kings, miles ahead of "Closer to the Heart", "Cinderella Man", and "Cyganus X-1".
i love the intro to this song and i finally learned it on guitar...the famous X-riff almost puts you in a state of uphoria.
I just learned that too, it is really fun guitar riff.<br />
it's originally from a poem but it kicks ass and this song is about xanadu and the peom is about kubla khan two cool figures but anyhow this is probably one of my most favorite rush songs probably cause i enjoy fiction and shit like that so if you've never heard it i segest you go out and by farewell to kings or just download this kick ass song
Another gift from Rush to the world. It really shows that Rush may integrate the most exotic concepts and create fantastic music. It blows me away every time I listen to it. Do read the poem it , I 'm sure Neil would want you to.
The song live or on the album makes you wonder how so much music and talent cold be compressed into three guys. Truly the best rock trio ever, if not the best band ever.
this is by far the most beautiful thing i have ever heard. Rock on Rush!
The true rush fan loves the brilliance of this song. mythical,great sounding,and an ode to another great writer
I absolutely love this song. Anyone who doesn't like it, doesn't know what the hell they are talking about, i agree with cracker in saying this song is completely kick ass! I think everyone should download this song! It's a completely beautiful song, song wise and lyrical wise.
I saw this song live in Montreal in 2004 for the 30th tour, and alex pulled out the Double-Neck Guitar and it was amazing live!
Inspired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge's, "Kubla Khan". It's about Opium Addiction.
this song is about the Almighty and the true creator of the heavens and the Earth. If you pay particular attention to the lines "for I have dined on Honeydew and drunk the milk of paradise" you will understand that human beings were not meant to live forever and will die one day. Once they die, it's up to God to decide whether they will enter paradise or not. If you believe in ONE god, and engage in prayer, and fast on a holy month.....then you already know what this song is about.....rejection of immortality, drinking the milk of paradise, rejecting instant gratification to serving a higher purpose and giving back when you have more than enough.......all of these things should bring a bell as to what this song is referring to.............go figure.