Rush's second album by far outshines thier first. The addition of Neil Peart as drummer and lyricist I believe is a key reason for that. He added a more dynamic level to Rush's playing. This also marks the beginning of Rush's epic song writing period, with By-Tor and the Snowdog. Anthem has a more defined rock edge to it. Fly By Night gave Rush thier first real hit. There is a more prominent acoustic guitar in this album especially in Rivendell, Making Memories and In the End. All in all I recommend this as one of the staple Rush albums to get.
Know that your place in life
Is where you want it to be
Don't let them tell you that
You owe it all to me
Keep on looking forward
There's no use in looking 'round
Carry your head above the crowd
And they won't bring you down
Anthem of the heart and mind
A funeral dirge for eyes gone blind
We marvel after those who sought
New wonders in the world they wrought
Live for yourself, there's no-one
More worth living for
Begging hands and bleeding hearts
Will only cry for more
Though I know they've always
Told you selfishness is wrong
Yet it was for me not you
I came to write this song
Got a living that's rough
A future that's tough
You know what I mean
Blanker's and boasters
All the bluffers and dosers
I'm not into that scene
You can tell me that I've got no class
Look around you see who's laughin' last
Don't give me speeches cause they're oh so droll
Leave me alone and let me rock and roll
I do the best that I can
I'm just what I am
I do the best that I can
I know just what I am
Got an itchin' to rock
A hate for small talk
I'm funny that way
Got my sights on the stars
Won't get that far
But I'll try anyway
I just like to please
Don't like to tease
I'm easy like that
Don't like long rests
I must confess
I'm an impatient cat
Rock and rollin's a scream
Making millions my dream
I do that alot
But I'll just give it a try
Won't let good times pass me by
They're all I've got
Ten score years ago
Defeat the kingly foe
A wonderous dream came into being
Tame the trackless waste
No virgin land left chaste
All shining eyes but never seeing
Beneath the noble bird
Between the proudest words
Behind the beauty, cracks appear
Once with heads held high
They sang out to the sky
Why do their shadows bow in fear
Watch the cities rise
Another ship arrives
Earth's melting pot and ever growing
Fantastic dreams come true
Inventing something new
The greatest minds but never knowing
The guns replace the plow
Facades are tarnished now
The principles have been betrayed
The dreams gone stale
But still let hope prevail
Hope that history's debt won't be repaid
I. �at the Tobes of Hades
The Tobes of Hades lit by flickering torchlight
The Netherworld is gathering in the glare
Prince By-Tor takes the cavern to the northlight
The sign of Eth is rising in the air
By-Tor - Knight of Darkness
Centurion of Evil - Devil's Prince
II. �across the Styx
Across the river Styx out of the lamplight
His nemesis is waiting at the gate
The SnowDog - ermine glowing in the damp night
Coal black eyes, shimmering with hate
By-Tor - And the SnowDog
Square for battle, let the fray begin
III. �the Battle
i) Challenge and Defiance
ii) 7/4 War Furor
iii) Aftermath
iv) Hymn of Triumph
IV. �Epilogue
The battle over and the dust is clearing
Disciples of the SnowDog sound the knell
Rejoicing echoes as the dawn is nearing
By-Tor in defeat retreats to Hell
SnowDog - is victorious
The land of Overworld is saved again
Why try, I know why
This feeling inside me says it's time I was gone
Clear head, new life ahead
I want to be king now, not just one more pawn
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
Moon rise, thoughtful eyes
Staring back at me from the window beside
No fright, or hindsight
Leaving behind that empty feeling inside
Start a new chapter
I find what I'm after
Is changing everyday
The change of a season
Is enough of a reason
To want to get away
Quiet and pensive
My bones apprehensive
The hours drift away
Leaving my homeland
Playing a lonehand
My life begins today
There's a time for feeling as good as we can
The time is now and there's no stopping us
There's a time for living as high as we can
Behind us you will only see our dust
So we'll just keep smiling, move onward everday
Try to keep our thoughts away from home
We're travelling all around, no time to settle down
Satisfy our wanderlust to roam
You know we're having good days
And we hope they're going to last
Our future still looks brighter than our past
We feel no need to worry
No reason to be sad
Our memories remind us
Maybe road life's not so bad
From sea to shining sea, and a hundred points between
Still we go on digging every show
The cities in the land all extend a welcome hand
Till the morning when it's time for us to go
Sunlight dances through the leaves
Soft winds stir the sighing trees
Lying in the warm grass
Feel the sun upon your face
Elven songs and endless nights
Sweet wine and soft relaxing lights
Time will never touch you
Here in this enchanted place
I've traveled now for many miles
It feels so good to see the smiles
Of friends who never left your mind
When you were far away
From the golden light of coming dawn
Til the twilight when the sun is gone
We treasure every season
And every passing day
You feel there's something calling you
You're wanting to return
To where the Misty Mountains rise
And friendly fires burn
A place you can escape the world
Where the Dark Lord cannot go
Peace of mind and sanctuary
By LoudWater's flow
We feel the coming of a new day
Dark gives way to light a new way
Stop here for a while until
The world calls you away
Yet you know I've had the feeling
Standing with my senses reeling
This is the place to grow old
Till I reach my final day
I can see what you mean
It just takes me longer
I can feel what you feel
It just makes you stronger
You can take me for a little while
You can take me, you can make me smile
~In the End~
I know, I know, I know
The feeling grows
I see, I see, I see
That it's got to be
I can do what you do
You just do it better
I can cry like you cry
It just makes me sadder
I can shine like you shine
It doesn't make me brighter
If I think like you think
It doesn't make my load any lighter