The Pass
The Rush Lyrics


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Proud swagger out of the schoolyard
Waiting for the world's applause
Rebel without a conscience
Martyr without a cause

Static on your frequency
Electrical storm in your veins
Raging at unreachable glory
Straining at invisible chains

And now you're trembling on a rocky ledge
Staring down into a heartless sea
Can't face life on a razor's edge
Nothings what you thought it would be

All of us get lost in the darkness
Dreamers learn to steer by the stars
All of us do time in the gutter
Dreamers turn to look at the cars
Turn around and turn around and turn around
Turn around and walk the razor's edge
Don't turn your back
And slam the door on me

It's not as if this barricade
Blocks the only road
It's not as if you're all alone
In wanting to explode

Someone set a bad example
Made surrender seem all right
The act of a noble warrior
Who lost the will to fight

And now you're trembling on a rocky ledge
Staring down into a heartless sea
Done with life on a razor's edge
Nothings what you thought it would be

All of us get lost in the darkness
Dreamers learn to steer by the stars
All of us do time in the gutter
Dreamers turn to look at the cars
Turn around and turn around and turn around
Turn around and walk the razor's edge
Don't turn your back
And slam the door on me

No hero in your tragedy
No daring in your escape
No salutes for your surrender
Nothing noble in your fate
Christ, what have you done?

All of us get lost in the darkness
Dreamers learn to steer by the stars
All of us do time in the gutter
Dreamers turn to look at the cars
Turn around and turn around and turn around
Turn around and walk the razor's edge
Turn around and walk the razor's edge
Turn around and walk the razor's edge




Don't turn your back
And slam the door on me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Pass by Rush speak about the struggles that young people face while growing up. It talks about the desire for attention, admiration, and recognition, the feeling of being trapped, and the frustration that comes with it. The lyrics describe the struggles of someone who is trying to find their place in the world and who feels lost and overwhelmed by the pressures of society.


The opening lines of the song talk about someone who is proud and confident but is waiting for the world's approval. They are described as a "rebel without a conscience" and a "martyr without a cause," indicating their desire to be seen as someone special and important. However, the person is also described as being "raging at unreachable glory" and "straining at invisible chains," which highlights their frustration with society and the feeling that their dreams and goals are unattainable.


The chorus of the song talks about the struggles that everyone faces in life. All of us get lost in the darkness and all of us experience difficult times. The lyrics talk about how dreamers learn to steer by the stars and how we must turn around and walk the razor's edge without turning our back on others.


Overall, The Pass is a powerful song that addresses important issues related to growing up, feeling lost, and finding one's place in the world. It speaks to the human condition and the struggles that we all face as we navigate the challenges of life.


Line by Line Meaning

Proud swagger out of the schoolyard
You had confidence as a young adult


Waiting for the world's applause
You expected to be appreciated by everyone


Rebel without a conscience
You were often disobedient, and didn't feel guilty


Martyr without a cause
You would often die for something, without a clear reason


Static on your frequency
Your thoughts and emotions are clouded


Electrical storm in your veins
You feel a lot of intense emotions


Raging at unreachable glory
You're fighting for something that's impossible to achieve


Straining at invisible chains
You're trapped by something that's not physically there


And now you're trembling on a rocky ledge
You're in a dangerous and uncertain situation


Staring down into a heartless sea
The world seems cruel and unforgiving


Can't face life on a razor's edge
You can't handle living your life in such a precarious way


Nothings what you thought it would be
Your expectations don't match your reality


All of us get lost in the darkness
We all struggle at times


Dreamers learn to steer by the stars
People with goals can navigate through difficulties


All of us do time in the gutter
We all go through tough times


Dreamers turn to look at the cars
People who want more out of life don't just settle


Turn around and turn around and turn around
Repeating things won't help you


Don't turn your back
Don't give up on yourself or others


And slam the door on me
Don't shut me out


It's not as if this barricade
Your problems are not insurmountable


Blocks the only road
There are other ways to get where you want to go


It's not as if you're all alone
You're not the only one dealing with this


In wanting to explode
Feeling overwhelmed doesn't make you weak


Someone set a bad example
You were influenced in a negative way


Made surrender seem all right
Someone made giving up seem acceptable


The act of a noble warrior
Giving up does not make you a hero


Who lost the will to fight
You gave up too easily


No hero in your tragedy
Surrendering doesn't make you a hero


No daring in your escape
Giving up is the easy way out


No salutes for your surrender
Quitting is not admirable


Nothing noble in your fate
Your future doesn't look great after giving up


Christ, what have you done?
A cry of dismay at your choices


Turn around and walk the razor's edge
Persist in the face of adversity




Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP
Written by: Neil Elwood Peart, Gary Lee Weinrib, Alex Zivojinovich

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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