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The Temples of Syrinx Lyrics
We've taken care of everything
The words you read and the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
It's one for all, all for one
We work together, common sons
Never need to wonder how or why
We are the priests
Of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers
Fill the hallowed halls
We are the priests
Of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life
Are held within these walls
Look around this world we made
Equality our stock in trade
Come and join the brotherhood of man
Oh, what a nice contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the red star proudly high in hand
We are the priests
Of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers
Fill the hallowed halls
We are the priests
Of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life
Are held within these walls
The words you read and the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
It's one for all, all for one
We work together, common sons
Never need to wonder how or why
Of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers
Fill the hallowed halls
We are the priests
Of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life
Are held within these walls
Equality our stock in trade
Come and join the brotherhood of man
Oh, what a nice contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the red star proudly high in hand
Of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers
Fill the hallowed halls
We are the priests
Of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life
Are held within these walls
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While I also realize that the song is part of a larger album and story, the song on it's own seems to reflect upon a society who's information is controlled by a select few. In many ways a reflection on how things really have evolved in our current society today. When RUSH wrote this they might not have realized how vital computers have become and how everyone would eventually be connected in such a way. I mean, the song echos "We are the priests of the temples of Syrinx Our great computers fill the hallowed halls" and back to the opening "We've taken care of everything The words your read, the songs you sing The pictures that give pleasure to your eye"
It's definitely about a society where all information, music you listen to, things you read, news, stories, etc., etc is controlled by a select few. Much like the way things really are now.
mike, I hope you are kidding. "the song on it's own seems to reflect upon a society who's information is controlled by a select few. In many ways a reflection on how things really have evolved in our current society today."
mike, I hope you are kidding. "the song on it's own seems to reflect upon a society who's information is controlled by a select few. In many ways a reflection on how things really have evolved in our current society today."
You do realize you are posting this very opinion on the internet? Also known as the biggest free-for-all of information (and misinformation) ever conceived by the human species? I'll just assume you intended the irony.
You do realize you are posting this very opinion on the internet? Also known as the biggest free-for-all of information (and misinformation) ever conceived by the human species? I'll just assume you intended the irony.
That's a perfect description mikem, don't let the graviton try to pull you down. He's just sad that his entire existence is dictated by Newton..
That's a perfect description mikem, don't let the graviton try to pull you down. He's just sad that his entire existence is dictated by Newton..
If you want your heart to burn with love & your mind blown have a read of the Ringing Cedars of Russia book series. This book series gives so much meaning to many great songs & has important knowledge contained in its words that will help our future descendants live their life with love & happiness. (sounds a bit loopy I know but I am quite serious.) :)
If you want your heart to burn with love & your mind blown have a read of the Ringing Cedars of Russia book series. This book series gives so much meaning to many great songs & has important knowledge contained in its words that will help our future descendants live their life with love & happiness. (sounds a bit loopy I know but I am quite serious.) :)
Neil Peart did an exceptional job of adapting Ayn Rand's book Anthem to the album-side manifesto known as 2112. Whereas in Anthem, the lost identity in the future society was in the elimination of the word "I," in 2112 Peart created the concept of a musicless society. Temples of Syrinx is the song that introduces the listener to this society and sets the stage for the hero who discovers an ancient artifact, a guitar from a bygone era. 2112 still remains one of my favorite concept albums from the Prog Rock era, and certainly one of the most political and intellectual pieces in rock history.
@maxthedork I'm not sure what Neil meant by any lyric but subdivisions and the priests of the temple of syrinx are my favorite songs by rush. Subdivisions when I listen reminds me of high school times when we went "downtown" to pick up weed and get high. Hence
@maxthedork I'm not sure what Neil meant by any lyric but subdivisions and the priests of the temple of syrinx are my favorite songs by rush. Subdivisions when I listen reminds me of high school times when we went "downtown" to pick up weed and get high. Hence
Good point Max. But from what i got out of it, it was talking about the former USSR. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd verses explain about how life was like. Basicaly, they set out rules and limits citizens were forced to enjoy/except them. The \'temples of syrinx\' would be an illusion to a new world order, communism, but they were talking about the Soviet Union. But what really gives you the clue that they are talking about the Soviet Union is when they say the line \'hold the red star proudly high in hand\'. One of thier symbols was a red star.
Yeah, it just dawned on me after a discussion on communism in one of my classes that this song is exactly about communism. Throught the song refernces are made on how everything in everybodies lives are controled by a few people, which is pretty much how communsim works.
Great thoughts and insights. Do you think they were pro communism or warning about communism?
I agree with max, this is a concept song about a musicless society in the future.
I thought the first line was part of the overture.
your right it is but the overture leads into the temple of syrinx i guess thats why its here
your right it is but the overture leads into the temple of syrinx i guess thats why its here
"Yeah, it just dawned on me after a discussion on communism in one of my classes that this song is exactly about communism. Throught the song refernces are made on how everything in everybodies lives are controled by a few people, which is pretty much how communsim works."
More of this in "Red Lenses".
In classical mythology, Syrinx (Greek Συριγξ) was a nymph and a follower of Artemis, known for her chastity. Pursued by the amorous Greek god Pan, she ran to the river's edge and asked for assistance from the river nymphs. In answer, she was transformed into hollow water reeds that made a haunting sound when the god's frustrated breath blew across them. Pan cut the reeds to fashion the first set of pan pipes, which were thence forth known as syrinx.
It's about a society opposed to music and one man's legacy to fight the priests and bring music to the people.
@orangebeaker very possible , also I have read the lyrics point to LSD use and the loss of ego on a bad "trip". In existential philosophy the ego constrains ones behavior and in essence a person has no freedom of choice. On LSD those restraints are removed apparently and it's frightening the first time. I've never done LSD so I don't know how it feels. But society's resistance to any and all drug use is a common refrain in rush lyrics.
@orangebeaker very possible , also I have read the lyrics point to LSD use and the loss of ego on a bad "trip". In existential philosophy the ego constrains ones behavior and in essence a person has no freedom of choice. On LSD those restraints are removed apparently and it's frightening the first time. I've never done LSD so I don't know how it feels. But society's resistance to any and all drug use is a common refrain in rush lyrics.