This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Driving away to the east and into the past.
History recedes in my rear-view mirror.
Carried away on a wave of music down a desert road.
Memory humming at the heart of a factory town.
All my life
I've been workin' them angels overtime.
Riding and driving and living
so close to the edge.
Workin' them angels-- overtime.
Riding through the Range of Light to the wounded city.
Filling my spirit with the wildest wish to fly
taking the high road to the wounded city.
Memory strumming at the heart of a moving picture.
All my life
I've been workin' them angels overtime.
Riding and driving and living
so close to the edge.
Workin' them angels-- overtime.
Driving down the raxor's edge between the past and the future.
Turn up the music and smile.
Get carried away on the songs and stories of vanished times.
Memory drumming at the heart of an English winter.
Memories beating at the heart of an African Village.
History recedes in my rear-view mirror.
Carried away on a wave of music down a desert road.
Memory humming at the heart of a factory town.
All my life
I've been workin' them angels overtime.
Riding and driving and living
so close to the edge.
Workin' them angels-- overtime.
Riding through the Range of Light to the wounded city.
Filling my spirit with the wildest wish to fly
taking the high road to the wounded city.
Memory strumming at the heart of a moving picture.
All my life
I've been workin' them angels overtime.
Riding and driving and living
so close to the edge.
Workin' them angels-- overtime.
Driving down the raxor's edge between the past and the future.
Turn up the music and smile.
Get carried away on the songs and stories of vanished times.
Memory drumming at the heart of an English winter.
Memories beating at the heart of an African Village.
Lyrics submitted by stephanierush07
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This is about moving ahead in life- in spite of past struggles and pain. A retrospective of life as seen through Neil's eyes during his long rides.
I like how it could be very specific, or very vague. Clearly this is Neil. But it's also about how sometimes you look back on everything you've been through in life, and it seems like there was a supernatural power that was keeping you safe. Kind of like how life's a road, and roads can be dangerous.
Which is an interesting thing to think about. Some people are reckless their whole life, and don't get hurt. Some are careful, and still get consequences. But the question is, why would the supernatural power protect one and not the other. Reminds me of Job. It's cool when things connect.
@TrooperSeven <br /> <br /> Kinda like aliens, eh?<br /> <br /> Some love being reckless in every aspect and God still rewards them because of their faith. <br /> <br /> You are very accurate, though. God does guide our lives. It doesn't matter how careful you are because He's going to make sure you spend eternity in HIS HELL. Created by God, especially for one.
hes had so much shit done to him like his wife and kid dyeing and i just feel soo bad for him but proud that hes not dipressed about it and that hes still able to do concerts......ps i was just at a RUSH concert likew half hour ago
obsessed487 - a 1/2 hour ago huh? that'd mean you were at the St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center. Cool deal. I saw Rush on 09-08-07in Chicago, the day before you.
As for this song - I think it's more about the idea that if we have angels watching over us/protecting us, and our own tendencies to live life "on the edge" or by way of risky behavior, we "work them angels" too hard .
To Tiger and Obessed-- I saw them on the 6th in Milwaukee-- Awesome show! I almost drove to Chicago and/or St Paul but was unable to score tickets in time.
this song rocks!
Very inspiring Neil's story. From total shit and long ride finding himself again and his family and friends worrying about him when he was gone to the dominant musician andlyracist he ever was.
I've seen probably 10 RUSH shows, all excellent. R30 in 2005 was by far the best show ever, 34 songs, over 4 hours of no BS playing.
Saw Snakes and arrows tour at Red Rocks in Denver in August 2007, will be on site for Albuquerque in four days and then again at Red Rocks in June 2008. I was trying to get my boss to send me to Chicago or Detroit to help other branches so I could see them a couple more times.
I just love when he says "Memory strumming at the heart of a moving picture."
This is the best song off this album/CD to me. The line above is my favorite single moment in the entire CD.
The song is about how we take too many chances and get out of tight spots so many times, but we work those angels overtime to get us out of jams. Angels are ministering spirits who watch over us. Bad angels are demons and they influence to do bad things. The archangel Lucifer was once the greatest, but he wanted to be like the most High, so he rebelled and the earth was destroyed. He became the devil and a third of the angels followed and they are designated demons.
obviously neil like everyone else does not really believe in angels but its a nice idea.
ive become obsessed...saw them 7/24 at jones beach, 9/3 at pnc bank in jersey and 3 days ago in boston.....wish i could go back 25 years and discover them as i have now...b ut better late than never
what does the title of the song come from? Why is the objective pronoun THEM between the verb and the noun? Is it "old English" I'm a spanish speaker and i don't see a good translation for "workin' them angels. Any help or tip? thanks
@grendel666 Het Grendel, the use of the pronoun "them" is in this context equivalent to "those" it's a more relaxed, or slang/vernacular term.<br /> <br /> Interestingly the words come from an overheard phrase (can't recall whether it was Geddy or Neil who heard it) a mother was saying to her offspring "You've been working them angels overtime!" meaning they had been pushing their luck a lot recently. :)<br /> <br /> The song is about Neil reflecting on his life and the abiding images and memories that have punctuated his journey through it, and how he has always pushed his own limits, whether on bicycle in Africa, his youth as a struggling drummer in London or his motorcycle trips around the US.