2112

• Released March 1976 by Mercury Records
• Went Platinum (1,000,000 copies) on February 25, 1981
• Went Double Platinum (2,000,000 copies) on December 1, 1993
• Went Triple Platinum (3,000,000 copies) on November 17, 1995
• Purchase This Album

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1. 2112 (Total Time 20:34)
   (I.) Overture (4:32)
   (II.) The Temples Of Syrinx (2:13)
   (III.) Discovery (3:29)
   (IV.) Presentation (3:42)
   (V.) Oracle: The Dream (2:00)
   (VI.) Soliloquy (2:21)
   (VII.) Grand Finale (2:14)
2. A Passage To Bangkok (3:34)
3. The Twilight Zone (3:18)
4. Lessons (3:51)
5. Tears (3:32)
6. Something For Nothing (3:59)

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Lyrics

• 2112
  I. OVERTURE
  
  "I lie awake, staring out at the bleakness of Megadon. City and sky become one, merging into a single plane, a vast sea of unbroken grey. The Twin Moons, just two pale orbs as they trace their way across the steely sky. I used to think I had a pretty good life here, just plugging into my machine for the day, then watching Templevision or reading a Temple Paper in the evening. My friend Jon always said it was nicer here than under the atmospheric domes of the Outer Planets. We have had peace since 2062, when the surviving planets were banded together under the Red Star of the Solar Federation. The less fortunate gave us a few new moons. I believed what I was told. I thought it was a good life, I thought I was happy. Then I found something that changed it all..."
  
  Anonymous, 2112
  
  "And the meek shall inherit the earth."
  
  II. THE TEMPLES OF SYRINX
  
  ... "The massive grey walls of the Temples rise from the heart of every Federation city. I have always been awed by them, to think that every single facet of every life is regulated and directed from within! Our books, our music, our work and play are all looked after by the benevolent wisdom of the priests..."
  
  We've taken care of everything
  The words you hear the songs you sing
  The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes.
  
  It's one for all and all for one
  We work together common sons
  Never need to wonder how or why.
  
  We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx
  Our great computers fill the hallowed halls.
  We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx
  All the gifts of life are held within our walls.
  
  Look around this world we made
  Equality our stock in trade
  Come and join the Brotherhood of Man
  Oh what a nice contented world
  Let the banners be unfurled
  Hold the Red Star proudly high in hand.
  
  We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx
  Our great computers fill the hallowed halls.
  We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx
  All the gifts of life are held within our walls.
  
  III. DISCOVERY
  
  ... "Behind my beloved waterfall, in the little room that was hidden beneath the cave, I found it. I brushed away the dust of the years, and picked it up, holding it reverently in my hands. I had no idea what it might be, but it was beautiful. ... "I learned to lay my fingers across the wires, and to turn the keys to make them sound differently. As I struck the wires with my other hand, I produced my first harmonious sounds, and soon my own music! How different it could be from the music of the Temples! I can't wait to tell the priests about it! ..."
  
  What can this strange device be?
  When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
  It's got wires that vibrate and give music
  What can this thing be that I found?
  
  See how it sings like a sad heart
  And joyously screams out its pain
  Chords that build high like a mountain
  Or notes that fall gently like rain.
  
  I can't wait to share this new wonder
  The people will all see its light
  Let them all make their own music
  The Priests praise my name on this night.
  
  IV. PRESENTATION
  
  ... "In the sudden silence as I finished playing, I looked up to a circle of grim, expressionless faces. Father Brown rose to his feet, and his somnolent voice echoed throughout the silent Temple Hall. ... "Instead of the grateful joy that I expected, they were words of quiet rejection! Instead of praise, sullen dismissal. I watched in shock and horror as Father Brown ground my precious instrument to splinters beneath his feet..."
  
  I know it's most unusual
  To come before you so
  But I've found an ancient miracle
  I thought that you should know
  
  Listen to my music
  And hear what it can do
  There's something here as strong as life
  I know that it will reach you.
  
  (The Priests:)
  
  Yes, we know it's nothing new
  It's just a waste of time
  We have no need for ancient ways
  The world is doing fine
  
  Another toy will help destroy
  The elder race of man
  Forget about your silly whim
  It doesn't fit the plan.
  
  I can't believe you're saying
  These things just can't be true
  Our world could use this beauty
  Just think what we might do.
  
  Listen to my music
  And hear what it can do
  There's something here as strong as life
  I know that it will reach you.
  
  (The Priests:)
  
  Don't annoy us further
  We have our work to do.
  Just think about the average
  What use have they for you?
  
  Another toy will help destroy
  The elder race of man
  Forget about your silly whim
  It doesn't fit the plan.
  
  V. ORACLE: THE DREAM
  
  ... "I guess it was a dream, but even now it all seems so vivid to me. Clearly yet I see the beckoning hand of the oracle as he stood at the summit of the staircase. ... "I see still the incredible beauty of the sculptured cities and the pure spirit of man revealed in the lives and works of this world. I was overwhelmed by both wonder and understanding as I saw a completely different way to life, a way that had been crushed by the Federation long ago. I saw now how meaningless life had become with the loss of all these things ..."
  
  I wandered home though the silent streets
  And fell into a fitful sleep
  Escape to realms beyond the night
  Dream can't you show me the light?
  
  I stand atop a spiral stair
  An oracle confronts me there
  He leads me on light years away
  Through astral nights, galactic days
  
  I see the works of gifted hands
  That grace this strange and wondrous land
  I see the hand of man arise
  With hungry mind and open eyes
  
  They left the planet long ago
  The elder race still learn and grow
  Their power grows with purpose strong
  To claim the home where they belong
  Home, to tear the Temples down...
  Home, to change..
  
  VI. SOLILOQUY
  
  ... "I have not left this cave for days now, it has become my last refuge in my total despair. I have only the music of the waterfall to comfort me now. I can no longer live under the control of the Federation, but there is no other place to go. My last hope is that with my death I may pass into the world of my dream, and know peace at last."
  
  The sleep is still in my eyes
  The dream is still in my head
  I heave a sigh and sadly smile
  And lie a while in bed
  I wish that it might come to pass
  Not fade like all my dreams
  
  Just think of what my life might be
  In a world like I have seen
  I don't think I can carry on
  Carry on this cold and empty life
  Oh...noo.
  
  My spirits are low in the depths of despair
  My lifeblood spills over...
  
  VII. GRAND FINALE
  
  ATTENTION ALL PLANETS OF THE SOLAR FEDERATION!
  ATTENTION ALL PLANETS OF THE SOLAR FEDERATION!
  ATTENTION ALL PLANETS OF THE SOLAR FEDERATION!
  WE HAVE ASSUMED CONTROL!
  WE HAVE ASSUMED CONTROL!
  WE HAVE ASSUMED CONTROL!...
  
  
• A Passage To Bangkok (Lee, Lifeson, Peart)
  
  Our first stop is in Bogota
  To check Colombian fields
  The natives smile and pass along
  A sample of their yield
  Sweet Jamaican pipe dreams
  Golden Acapulco nights
  Then Morocco, and the East,
  Fly by morning light
  
  We're on the train to Bangkok
  Aboard the Thailand Express
  We'll hit the stops along the way
  We only stop for the best
  
  Wreathed in smoke in Lebanon
  We burn the midnight oil
  The fragrance of Afghanistan
  Rewards a long day's toil
  Pulling into Katmandu
  Smoke rings fill the air
  Perfumed by a Nepal night
  The Express gets you there
  
  
• The Twilight Zone (Lee, Lifeson, Peart)
  
  A pleasant faced man steps up to greet you
  He smiles and says he's pleased to meet you
  Beneath his hat the strangeness lies
  Take it off, he's got three eyes
  Truth is false and logic lost
  Now the fourth dimension is crossed
  
  You have entered the Twilight Zone
  Beyond this world strange things are known
  Use the key, unlock the door
  See what your fate might have in store
  Come explore your dreams' creation
  Enter this world of imagination
  
  Wake up lost in an empty town
  Wondering why no one else is around
  Look up to see a giant boy
  You've just become his brand new toy
  No escape, no place to hide
  Here where Time and Space collide
  
  
• Lessons (Lifeson)
  
  Sweet memories, Flashing very quickly by
  Reminding me Giving me a reason why
  I know that My goal is more than a thought
  I'll be there When I teach what I've been taught
  
  You know we've told you before
  But you didn't hear us then
  So you still question why
  You didn't listen again
  
  Sweet memories I never thought it would be like this
  Reminding me Just how close I came to missing
  I know that This is the way for me to go
  You'll be there When you know what I know
  
  
• Tears (Lee)
  
  All of the seasons
  And all of the days
  All of the reasons
  Why I've felt this way
  So long
  So long
  
  Then lost in that feeling
  I looked in your eyes
  I noticed emotion
  And that you had cried
  For me
  I can see
  
  What would touch me deeper
  Tears that fall from eyes
  That only cry?
  Would it touch you deeper
  Than tears that fall from eyes
  That know why?
  
  A lifetime of questions
  Tears on your cheek
  I tasted the answers
  And my body was weak
  For you
  The truth
  
  
• Something For Nothing (Lee, Peart)
  
  Waiting for the winds of change
  To sweep the clouds away
  Waiting for the rainbow's end
  To cast its gold your way
  Countless ways
  You pass the days
  
  Waiting for someone to call
  And turn your world around
  Looking for an answer to
  The question you have found
  Looking for
  An open door
  
  You don't get something for nothing
  You don't get freedom for free
  You won't get wise
  With the sleep still in your eyes
  No matter what your dreams might be
  
  What you own is your own kingdom
  What you do is your own glory
  What you love is your own power
  What you live is your own story
  In your head is the answer
  Let it guide you along
  Let your heart be the anchor
  And the beat of your own song