The Anarchist

The lenses inside of me that paint the world black

The pools of poison, the scarlet mists that spill over into rage

The things I've always been denied

An early promise that somehow died

A missing part of me that grows around me like a cage

This is the chorus from Rush's "The Anarchist" on their latest album "Clockwork Angels". It is an angst driven album from my take on it. I just love this segment of the song. 

The lenses inside of me that paint the world black. 

This is a great way of saying that the world is the way we see it. Using the lenses of our vision to show that we are actively creating our world, helps put this in perspective. It isn't really black, but that is how he chooses to see it.

The pools of poison, the scarlet mist that spill over into rage

Doesn't this just paint a mind picture of evil intent? The imagery that this gives me is so intense and the feeling spilling over into rage. Spill over, as in he's already full of anger(?) where the excess becomes rage. Damn.

The things I've always been denied

An early promise that somehow died

The sense of entitlement, something he deserved being taken. The turmoil of revolution, one of the oldest passions in the world.

A missing part of me that grows around me like a cage

I stared at this lyric for some time and didn't grasp what Neil was trying to say. Now I get it. All the rage, anger and the missing part of him to the point of obsession, creating a cage around his soul that he needs to break out of. He needs to be free of that want, that desire, that need. Freaking brilliant! I wish, oh how I wish I could write lines like that. 

The lyrics can be found at http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/rush/theanarchist.html. The drum and bass work of this song are exceptional. I wish I had sound equipment that could do it justice.

Geddy Lee talks about the song here.

The song can be had here.