Rush

Lyrics

[Instrumental Intro 0:00-05:01]

[Verse 1]
"To seek the sacred river Alph
To walk the caves of ice
To break my fast on honeydew
And drink the milk of Paradise"

[Hook]
I had heard the whispered tales of immortality
The deepest mystery
From an ancient book I took a clue
I scaled the frozen mountain tops of eastern lands unknown
Time and Man alone
Searching for the lost Xanadu
Xanadu

[Verse 2]
To stand within the Pleasure Dome
Decreed by Kubla Khan
To taste anew the fruits of life
The last immortal man
To find the sacred river Alph
To walk the caves of ice
Oh, I will dine on honeydew
And drink the milk of Paradise
Oh, paradise!
[Instrumental Break 06:51-07:39]

[Hook]
A thousand years have come and gone but time has passed me by
Stars stopped in the sky
Frozen in an everlasting view
Waiting for the world to end, weary of the night
Praying for the light
Prison of the lost
Xanadu
Xanadu

[Verse 3]
Held within the Pleasure Dome
Decreed by Kubla Khan
To taste my bitter triumph
As a mad immortal man
Nevermore shall I return
Escape these caves of ice
For I have dined on honeydew
And drunk the milk of Paradise
Woah, is it paradise?

[Instrumental Outro 9:08-11:05]

Xanadu, the progressive rock masterpiece from the Canadian band Rush, is a track that occupies a special place in the band's rich legacy, and the minds of every rock enthusiast. The song is a representation of sheer musical brilliance that has hooked several generations of music lovers for over four decades. Rush completed this epic track with their unique progressive sound and extraordinary lyrics that has stood the test of time.

About Xanadu

The song Xanadu, by Rush, is seven minutes and eleven seconds long and is part of the A Farewell to Kings album, released in 1977. It was composed by the entire band, and the lyrics were written by Neil Peart, the legendary drummer and main lyricist. The song is divided into four parts, each with its unique sound, and it’s one of the iconic songs that showcase the substantial poetic and musical creation that is synonymous with Rush.

Neil Peart was inspired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem “Kubla Khan,” a work of romantic literature that was penned in 1797 and later published by the author’s “Confessional Poetry.” The poem describes the palace built by Kubla Khan in Xanadu, which was considered an exotic and primeval place that had gardens, canals, and forests. The lyrics of the song depict the journey of exploration that an aging man undertakes, seeking the mystical realm of Xanadu and its ultimate prize, eternal life.

The song starts with the sound of a gong's rattling, which continues well into the prologue of the song, creating a sense of mystery and suspense. The first part of the song is titled "I am the Living," which showcases a calm and reflective start. The beginning has an eerie feel to it, with soft beats of drums and Geddy Lee's moving vocals, which take the listener on a narrative journey with the protagonist, ultimately arriving at Xanadu.

The second part of the song is known as the "Breathless I Stand," which is the instrumental section of Xanadu and features one of Rush's most memorable guitar solos. This piece of the song adds to the dreamlike qualities of the poetic lyrics. The solos come in a wave-like pattern and take listeners on an imaginary journey through mountain peaks and exotic vistas.

The third section of the song is "Equally Distant with the End." It has a driving beat, with dramatic musical turns that sound like bursts of hazy fire. This section puts an emphasis on the meaning of life, and Peart’s philosophical lyrics caused deep contemplation of the existence of our soul.

The last part of the song is the “The Fountain”, where the protagonist finally reaches Xanadu and the ultimate prize - Life eternal. This piece marks the end of an epic journey and showcases the spot-on chemistry between all three members of Rush. The song concludes with a symphony of instruments—stopping and starting—brought to a final crescendo, leaving the listener entranced by the entire experience.

What makes Xanadu a masterpiece is how Rush brilliantly combined different elements of poetry and music to present a whole new level of progressive rock sound. The soundscape of Xanadu is perfected by Peart's lyrics and the trio's precision musicianship, setting an unmatched standard for progressive rock musicology. The song highlights Rush’s versatility as a band and amplifies their unique sound that is recognized around the world.

Indeed, Xanadu is hard to describe in words as it is a composition that needs to be listened to to experience the full impact of its sound and vision.

In the Words of the Band Members

Geddy Lee, the bassist, lead vocalist, and keyboardist of Rush, had something to say about Xanadu, "Xanadu's music is a kind of Polaroid of everything we know to that moment. It was a track we always played with a lot of passion, and it's something we still enjoy playing today."

In an interview with Modern Drummer, Neil Peart once said, "As far as the lyrics for Xanadu, that was the most ambitious of all my early attempts. The legend of Kubla Khan and the 'stately pleasure-dome' always resonated with me as an exotic, mystical poem."

Alex Lifeson, the band's guitarist, once said, "Xanadu displays an ambitious design. We wanted to create an intense instrumental section that could balance the lyrics, an attempt to enhance every aspect of the music. It's a song that will always have a special place in our hearts."

Wrapping Up

Xanadu is a true rock masterpiece that will remain as Rush's contribution to the musical legacy forever. The song's unique sound, brilliant poetry by Neil Peart, and incomparable musicianship by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have made it one of the finest examples of progressive rock music of all time. It is a song that has won the hearts of generations of fans around the world and continues to be an evergreen classic, resonating the very essence of the band and its music.

• Release Date: September 1, 1977
• Artist: Rush