There's a lot of ways to interpret these kinds of open ended metaphorical lyrics, as is normal for Rush.
An example being:
From the point of conception
To the moment of Truth
At the point of surrender
To the burden of proof
For some, this can be seen as children. For others, it may be a generic statement following the reasoning of
From the point of conception (the first spark of an idea)
To the moment of Truth (when it's tested to see if it'll work or not)
At the point of surrender (to give in when it doesn't work, or possibly related to another rush song, Resist, which states "you can surrender without a prayer, but never really pray, pray without surrender" Given Neil's normal method of wordplay, it's probably the latter more than the former)
To the burden of proof (to steal a quote from wikipedia of all places, "The philosophic burden of proof is the obligation on a party in an epistemic dispute to provide sufficient warrant for their position." seems most accurate to Neil's normal lyrical use. Just because yeu've tested the beta / prototype, doesn't mean yeu're done proving your position. If it breaks and doesn't work, then yeu need, also, to justify why yeu tried in the first place often times)
The song covers so many things, but all seem to relate to making one's way in life, and the choices along the way.
The point of the journey is not to arrive (the journey itself IS the point; "journey's end is an endless crime" )
From a point on the compass
To magnetic north
The point of the needle moving back and forth
(Showing the difference between where yeu are and where yeu want to be, or where yeu're going)
Alternating currents force a show of hands
Rational responses force a change of plans
("Show of hands" implying the idea of poker or other game, but probably poker, to show yeur cards, whot yeu really have. Both parts of this stating that yeu may be forced to "play yeur cards early" based on the situation, or to be forced to admit that yeu really didn't have such a good idea or plan when someone confronts yeu directly with evidence to the contrary. The point here, is that yeur life has to be fluid, and decisions are not set in stone, one must always prepare for the unexpected, and change as needed when the situation warrents)
I set the wheels in motion
turn up all the machines
activate the programs
and run behind the scene
I set the clouds in motion
turn up light and sound
activate the window
and watch the world go 'round --
This entire section feels like it's one large metaphor drawn out, designed to showcase the idea of one looking at one's own life as an outsider looking in. Yeu can plan everything out, meticulously decide how things should go, and prepare all yeu want, but in the end, all yeu can do is let it happen and see if it actually works the way yeu expected or not.
Literally, "anything can happen", including things which shouldn't be possible.
And why should it be any other way? "Why shouldn't truth be stranger than fiction? After all, fiction has to stick to possibilities."
A very deep song, and I've probably only just touched the surface, and there's some parts I still don't fully understand yet. I've a feeling though, that the more one lives their life, the more they'll recognize how true this all is.
There's a lot of ways to interpret these kinds of open ended metaphorical lyrics, as is normal for Rush.
An example being:
From the point of conception To the moment of Truth At the point of surrender To the burden of proof
For some, this can be seen as children. For others, it may be a generic statement following the reasoning of
From the point of conception (the first spark of an idea) To the moment of Truth (when it's tested to see if it'll work or not) At the point of surrender (to give in when it doesn't work, or possibly related to another rush song, Resist, which states "you can surrender without a prayer, but never really pray, pray without surrender" Given Neil's normal method of wordplay, it's probably the latter more than the former) To the burden of proof (to steal a quote from wikipedia of all places, "The philosophic burden of proof is the obligation on a party in an epistemic dispute to provide sufficient warrant for their position." seems most accurate to Neil's normal lyrical use. Just because yeu've tested the beta / prototype, doesn't mean yeu're done proving your position. If it breaks and doesn't work, then yeu need, also, to justify why yeu tried in the first place often times)
The song covers so many things, but all seem to relate to making one's way in life, and the choices along the way.
The point of the journey is not to arrive (the journey itself IS the point; "journey's end is an endless crime" )
From a point on the compass To magnetic north The point of the needle moving back and forth (Showing the difference between where yeu are and where yeu want to be, or where yeu're going)
Alternating currents force a show of hands Rational responses force a change of plans ("Show of hands" implying the idea of poker or other game, but probably poker, to show yeur cards, whot yeu really have. Both parts of this stating that yeu may be forced to "play yeur cards early" based on the situation, or to be forced to admit that yeu really didn't have such a good idea or plan when someone confronts yeu directly with evidence to the contrary. The point here, is that yeur life has to be fluid, and decisions are not set in stone, one must always prepare for the unexpected, and change as needed when the situation warrents)
I set the wheels in motion turn up all the machines activate the programs and run behind the scene
I set the clouds in motion turn up light and sound activate the window and watch the world go 'round --
This entire section feels like it's one large metaphor drawn out, designed to showcase the idea of one looking at one's own life as an outsider looking in. Yeu can plan everything out, meticulously decide how things should go, and prepare all yeu want, but in the end, all yeu can do is let it happen and see if it actually works the way yeu expected or not.
Literally, "anything can happen", including things which shouldn't be possible.
And why should it be any other way? "Why shouldn't truth be stranger than fiction? After all, fiction has to stick to possibilities."
A very deep song, and I've probably only just touched the surface, and there's some parts I still don't fully understand yet. I've a feeling though, that the more one lives their life, the more they'll recognize how true this all is.
Awesome interpretation!
Awesome interpretation!