Counterparts

it was long after midnight
When we got to unconditional love
She said sure, my heart is boundless
But don't push my limits too far

I said if love is so transcendant
I don't understand these boundaries
She said just don't disappoint me ---
You know how complex women are

I'll be around
If you don't let me down
Too far
I'll be around
If you don't let me down

It was just before sunrise
When we started on traditional roles
She said sure i'll be your partner
But don't make too many demands

I said if love has these conditions
I don't understand those songs you love
She said this is not a love song
This isn't fantasy-land

Don't go too far -
The phosphorescent wave on a tropical sea
Is a cold fire
Don't cross the line -
The pattern of moonlight on the bedroom floor
Is a cold fire
Don't let me down -
The flame at the heart of a pawnbroker's diamond
Is a cold fire
Don't break the spell -
The look in your eyes as you head for the door
Is a cold fire

I'll be around
If you don't push me down
Too far
I'll be around
If you don't push me down

I'll be around
If you don't push me down
Too far
I'll be around
If you don't push me down

Don't go too far -
The phosphorescent wave on a tropical sea
Is a cold fire
Don't cross the line -
The pattern of moonlight on the bedroom floor
Is a cold fire
Don't let me down -
The flame at the heart of a pawnbroker's diamond
Is a cold fire
Don't break the spell -
The look in your eyes as you head for the door
Is a cold fire

I'll be around
If you don't push me down
Too far
I'll be around
If you don't push me down

I'll be around
If you don't push me down
Too far
I'll be around
If you don't push me down

I'll be around
If you don't let me down

It's a cold fire...
It's a cold fire...
It's a cold fire...
It's a cold fire...

Love is blind if you are gentle
Love can turn to a long, cold burn

Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson

Where would you rather be?
Anywhere but here
When will the time be right?
Anytime but now

On the edge of sleep,
I was driting for half the night
Anxious and restless,
Pressed down by the darkness
Bound up and wound up so tight
So many decisions, a million revisions
Caught between and light...

Wilderness of mirrors
World of polished steel
Gears and iron chains
Turn the grinding wheel
I run between the shadows
Some are phantoms, some are real

Where would you rather be?
Anywhere but here
When will the time be right?
Anytime but now
The doubt and the fear
I know would all disappear
Anywhere but here

On the edge of sleep,
I heard voices behind the door
The known and the nameless,
Familiar and faceless
My angels and my demons at war
Which one will lose --- depends on what i choose
Or maybe which voice i ignore...

Wilderness of mirrors
Streets of cold desire
My precious sense of honor
Just a shield of rusty wire
I hold against the chaos ---
And the cross of holy fire

Wilderness of mirrors
So easy to deceive
My precious sense of rightness
Is sometimes so naive
So that which i imagine
Is that which i believe

On the edge of sleep, i awoke to a sun so bright
Rested and fearless, cheered by your nearness
I knew which direction was right
The case had been tried by the jury inside
The choice between darkness and light...

Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson

Trust to your insticts
If it's safely restrained
Lightning reactions
Must be carefully trained

Heat of the moment
Curse of the young
Spit out your anger
Don't swallow your tongue

Stick it out

Don't swallow the poison
Spit it out
Don't swallow your pride
Stick it out
Don't swallow your anger
Spit it out
Don't swallow the lies

Natural reflex
Pendulum swing
You might be too dizzy
To do the right thing

Trial under fire
Ultimate proof
Moment of crisis
Don't swallow the truth

Stick it out

Each time we bathe our reactions
In artificial light
Each time we alter the focus
To make the wrong moves seem right

You get so used to deception
You make yourself a nervous wreck
You get so used to surrender
Running back to cover your neck

Stick it out

Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson

I knew he was different, in his sexuality
I went to his parties, as a straight minority
It never seemed a threat to my masculinity
He only introduced me to a wider reality

As the years went by, we drifted apart
When i heard that he was gone
I felt a shadow cross my heart
But he's nobody's ---

Hero --- saves a drowning child
Cures a wasting disease
Hero --- lands the crippled airplane
Solves great mysteries

Hero --- not the handsome actor
Who plays a hero's role
Hero --- not the glamor girl
Who'd love to sell her soul
If anybody's buying
Nobody's hero

I didn't know the girl, but i knew her family
All their lives were shattered
In a nightmare of brutality
They try to carry on, try to bear the agony
Try to hold some faith
In the goodness of humanity

As the years went by, we drifted apart
When i heard that she was gone
I felt a shadow cross my heart
But she's nobody's ---

Hero --- the voice of reason
Against the howling mob
Hero --- the pride of purpose
In the unrewarding job

Hero --- not the champion player
Who plays the perfect game
Not the glamor boy
Who loves to sell his name
Everybody's buying
Nobody's hero

As the years went by, we drifted apart
When i heard that you were gone
I felt a shadow cross my heart

Hero

Music by geddy lee and alex lifeson

Instrumental