"Anthem" is the first song from Rush's second album Fly by Night.

… Read Full Bio ↴"Anthem" is the first song from Rush's second album Fly by Night.

Anthem's lyrics are heavily influenced by novelist and objectivist Ayn Rand, whose ideas heavily influenced Rush lyricist Neil Peart at the time. The song's title is the same as Rand's novella Anthem.

Although the original lyrics for "Anthem" include the line "carry your head", they are sung as "hold your head", as well as other minor changes such as a change from "anthem of the heart and mind" to "anthem of the heart and anthem of the mind".

Anthem
Rush Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Know your place in life is where you want to be
Don't let them tell you that you owe it all to me
Keep on looking forward, no use in looking 'round
Hold your head above the ground and they won't bring you down

Anthem of the heart and anthem of the mind
A funeral dirge for eyes gone blind
We marvel after those who sought

New wonders in the world, wonders in the world,
Wonders in the world they wrought

Live for yourself, there's no one else
More worth living for
Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more

Anthem of the heart and anthem of the mind
A funeral dirge for eyes gone blind
We marvel after those who sought
New wonders in the world, wonders in the world,
Wonders in the world they wrought

Though I know they've always Told you selfishness is wrong
Yet it was for me not you
I came to write this song

Anthem of the heart and anthem of the mind
A funeral dirge for eyes gone blind
We marvel after those who sought

New wonders in the world, wonders in the world,
Wonders in the world they wrought

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Rush's song "Anthem" speak about individualism and the importance of pursuing one's own path in life. The lines "Know your place in life is where you want to be/Don't let them tell you that you owe it all to me" encourage the listener to follow their own dreams and desires, not to be dictated to by others. The phrase "Keep on looking forward, no use in looking 'round/Hold your head above the ground and they won't bring you down" indicates that focusing on the present and the future, instead of dwelling on the past or negative comments from others, is a way to stay grounded and persevere.

The idea of individualism is continued throughout the song with the line "Live for yourself, there's no one else/More worth living for". This sentiment is contrasted with the image of "begging hands and bleeding hearts" which suggest that relying on others for one's own happiness or success will only lead to disappointment. Essentially, the song is about being true to oneself and not sacrificing personal integrity for external expectations or pressures.

The repeated line "Anthem of the heart and anthem of the mind/A funeral dirge for eyes gone blind/We marvel after those who sought/New wonders in the world, wonders in the world/Wonders in the world they wrought" suggests a celebration of those who have gone above and beyond in their individual pursuits, creating new innovations and ideas. However, the phrase "A funeral dirge for eyes gone blind" implies that there is a cost to this pursuit and that not everyone may understand or appreciate it. Overall, "Anthem" is a reflective song that encourages listeners to embrace their individualism and pursue their own path in life, despite any obstacles or opposition they may face.

Line by Line Meaning

Know your place in life is where you want to be
You are where you are meant to be, regardless of what others say.

Don't let them tell you that you owe it all to me
Don't let anyone take credit for your own achievements.

Keep on looking forward, no use in looking 'round
Focus on your future, rather than dwelling on the past.

Hold your head above the ground and they won't bring you down
Keep your chin up and don't let others get you down.

Anthem of the heart and anthem of the mind
Both emotional and intellectual aspects are celebrated in this song.

A funeral dirge for eyes gone blind
A solemn tribute to those who have lost their ability to see the world in a new light.

We marvel after those who sought
We admire those who strive for new and amazing discoveries.

New wonders in the world, wonders in the world, Wonders in the world they wrought
These pioneers have created impressive new things that leave lasting impact.

Live for yourself, there's no one else More worth living for
You should prioritize your own life and well-being above others'.

Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more
Those who constantly rely on the help of others will never be satisfied.

Though I know they've always Told you selfishness is wrong
Society has taught us that putting ourselves first is bad, but sometimes it is necessary.

Yet it was for me not you I came to write this song
This song is a personal expression from the songwriter, not for anyone else's benefit.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Anthem Entertainment
Written by: NEIL ELWOOD PEART, GARY LEE WEINRIB, ALEX ZIVOJINOVICH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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