| Rush – Distant Early Warning Lyrics | 10 years ago |
| I have thought that this song was about how the world, especially the US, is becoming more and more Fascist (left wing & right wing fascism). And that Canada is seeing this happening. | |
| Rush – The Trees Lyrics | 10 years ago |
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I think this song has less to do with owner vs labor, or upper vs lower classes, or even men vs women, USA vs Canada, or UK, or what have you. This is a song about people, period. The message that this song is trying to get across is the fact that everyone is made differently, and we all have our talents and gifts. Everyone has the ability to achieve whatever is in their nature. The Oaks are those who have realized their nature, and have gave to the world and themselves according to their talents. Not necessarily being rich, or owners of production. Rush would consider themselves Oaks. A painter who has worked hard to succeed to make a career for him/herself, is an Oak. Heck, a factory worker could be considered an Oak, if he's happy being a "workin' man", and works hard, saves right, to have a better life for himself. It's not so much about class or job or place in life, as it is a mentality. The Philospher and the Ploughman, each must do their part to sow a new mentality, closer to the heart The Maples are those who are miserable in life, having not realized their talents, and determine that their lives are worthless and meaningless, and blame the Oaks for this. The Oaks are happy with how they are made, and the Maples are clearly not. The Maples have determined that having more light is in their nature (even though it's not, their nature is something different), thus it is their due right to have more light. So they scream oppression, and demand that all trees are cut down to the lowest common denominator, so that everyone is equally miserable. Rush's general philosophy is not really about capitalism vs communism, or being libertarian or Ayn Randian for political reasons, but rather more of a choice of mentality. Here's some lyrics from Rush's song "Freewill" that also illustrates this point. "There are those who think That they were dealt a losing hand The cards were stacked against them They weren't born in Lotusland All preordained A prisoner in chains A victim of venomous fate Kicked in the face You can't pray for a place In heaven's unearthly estate" These people are the Maples. Here's some more lyrics, from "Fly By Night" that helps illustrate the Oaks. "Fly by night, away from here Change my life again Fly by night, goodbye my dear My ship isn't coming and I just can't pretend" The Oaks know their ship isn't coming, and they don't pretend they will "have theirs" by punishing someone else, or taking it from them, so they change their life, make something out of themselves. Anyways, I hope that my point is being understood. I also think Tom Sawyer is pretty much the epitome of their philosophy at the time. Tom Sawyer was definitely an Oak. :-) |
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