Though I’m certainly no pacifist, and I rather love and owe allegiance to the American republic of the founding period, I can’t help but think of Peart’s lyrics when it comes to the beating of drums on Memorial Day weekend.
We see so many tribes overrun and undermined
While their invaders dream of lands they’ve left behind
Better people…better food…and better beer…
Why move around the world when Eden was so near?
The bosses get talking so tough
And if that wasn’t evil enough
We get the drunken and passionate pride
Of the citizens along for the ride
They shoot without shame
In the name of a piece of dirt
For a change of accent
Or the color of your shirt
Better the pride that resides
In a citizen of the world
Than the pride that divides
When a colorful rag is unfurled
Amen, Neil. It’s one thing to honor those who have given their very lives for us, it’s quite another to use those same sacrifices for nationalistic, egotistical, and nefarious agendas.
Progarchy 
Absolutely love this song. That final “Better the pride…” line is one of the very best penned by Neil, I reckon – and let’s face it, he’s written some humdingers.
The other stand-out line for me is “Don’t feed the people but we feed the machines” – both profound and incredibly prophetic, when you consider how much time we spend ensnared in social media.
LikeLike
No worries, the main agenda most Americans have on Memorial Day is a day off and some BBQ, oblivious of the sacrifices that made by those who won and preserved their freedom.
LikeLike