Track 5 from their third album released in 1975 copyright Mercury Records and recorded at Toronto Sound Studios. The band continued to transition to a more progressive rock style by writing more conceptual songs that consisted of multiple parts and were much longer. Side two of this album is their first of three songs they’d release that take up the entire side of the vinyl and this one was made up of six separate movements. This major change in song style alienated a lot of their fans and it was their least successful album. It produced only a couple of minor hits and their record company was not impressed. The members began to worry about their contract and future as a band but ignored the record company’s pressure to go back to the blues/rock style of their first album. They maintained their musical vision and thankfully, their fortunes would turn with their next project, which would be a concept album for the ages. This album received criminally poor reviews and reached No. 60 in Canada and No. 148 on the Billboard chart, later achieving Gold status in both countries. These days critics regard it as the most important album of the band’s career since it defined their new direction. Not to mention the fact that the musicianship was excellent, duh! But isn’t hindsight usually 20/20? Written by Neil Peart, Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson and produced by Rush & Terry Brown. RIP Neil Peart. Featuring:

Geddy Lee – Lead vocals & bass
Alex Lifeson– Lead, rhythm, 12-string electric, acoustic & 12-string acoustic, classical & steel guitars
Neil Peart – Drums & percussion

I. In the Valley
I am born, I am me
I am new, I am free
Look at me, I am young
Sight unseen, life unsung

My eyes have just been opened and they’re open very wide
Images around me don’t identify inside
Just one blur I recognize, the one that soothes and feeds
My way of life is easy and as simple are my needs

Yet my eyes are drawn toward the mountain in the east
Fascinates and captivates, gives my heart no peace
The mountain holds the sunrise in the prison of the night
Till bursting forth from rocky chains, the valley floods with light

Living one long sunrise, for to me all things are new
I’ve never watched the sky grow pale or strolled through fields of dew
I do not know of dust to dust, I live from breath to breath
I live to climb that mountain to the Fountain of Lamneth

Yet my eyes are drawn toward the mountain in the east
Fascinates and captivates and gives my heart no peace
The mountain holds the sunrise in the prison of the night
Till then bursting forth from rocky chains, the valley floods with light

II. Didacts and Narpets
(Stay) go
(Work) no
(Think) live
(Earn) give
(Wait) fight
(Right)

(No time)

III. No One At the Bridge
Crying back to consciousness, the coldness grips my skin
The sky is pitching violently drawn by shrieking winds
Sea spray blurs my vision, the waves roll by so fast
Save my ship of freedom, I’m lashed helpless to the mast

Remembering when first I held the wheel in my own hands
I took the helm so eagerly and sailed for distant lands
Now the sea’s too heavy and I just, I just don’t understand
Why must my crew desert me when I need, I need a guiding hand

Call out for direction and there’s no one there to steer
Shout out for salvation but there’s no one there to hear
Cry out supplication for the maelstrom is near
Scream out desperation but no one cares to hear

IV. Panacea
The whiteness of confusion is unfolding from my mind
I stare around in wonder, have I left my life behind?
I catch the scent of ambergris and turn my head, surprised
My gaze is caught and held and I am helpless, mesmerized

Panacea, liquid grace
Oh, let me touch your fragile face
Enchantment falls around me and I
Know I cannot leave

Here’s a meaning for my life, a shelter from the storm
Pacify my troubles with her body soft and warm
Naked in our unity, a smile for every tear
Gentle hands that promise me comfort through the years
Yet I know I must be gone before the light of dawn

Panacea, passion pure
I can’t resist your gentle lure
My heart will lie beside you
And my wandering body grieves

V. Bacchus Plateau
Another endless day, silhouettes of grey
Another glass of wine, drink with eyes that shine
To days without that chill at morning
Long nights time outta mind

Draw another goblet from the cask of ’43
Crimson misty memory, hazy glimpse of me
But give me back my wonder, I’ve something more to give
I guess it doesn’t matter, there’s not much more to, not much more to live

Another foggy dawn, the mountain almost gone
Another doubtful fear, the road is not so clear
My soul grows ever weary and the end is ever near

Draw another goblet from the cask of ’43
Crimson misty memory, hazy glimpse of me
Give me back my wonder, I’ve something more to give
I guess it doesn’t matter, there’s not much more to, not much more to live

VI. The Fountain
Look, the mist is rising and the sun is peeking through
See, the steps grow lighter as I reach their final...

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