Anyone familiar with the song THE TREES from Rush's HEMISPHERES album?(1978)


Well I heard the song initially back in 1991. I was about 11 yrs old and I had just become a Rush fan. Fastforward about 14 yrs to 2005. I'm 25 yrs old now and I'm just now realizing what this song is about. PREJUDICE. I think the way they describe prejudice using trees is SO unique. I never had a clue way back in 1991 that they were talking about prejudice. Check out the lyrics...



There is unrest in the forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas



The trouble with the maples
And they're quite convinced they're right
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the oaks can't help their feelings
If they like the way they're made
And they wonder why the maples
Can't be happy in their shade


There is trouble in the forest
And the creatures all have fled
As the maples scream, "Oppression!"
And the oaks just shake their heads

So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights
The oaks are just too greedy
We will make them give us light
Now there's no more oak oppression
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw

(bump)

wow....so you were like 4 years old when I was rocking out at some of their best shows on the Grace Under Pressure tour and Power Windows.....makin' me feel old man...thanks!

never noticed.

pkidwell said:

I was born in 1980..so yea..LOL!

I've never heard the song, but looking at the lyrics it strikes me as more of an anti-socialism song.

The key line being:

For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
By hatchet, axe, and saw

So basically any Trees who are taller or grander than others are diminished, kept to a level of mediocrity since it's 'unjust' that they should enjoy more sunlight than the other trees. I think this interpretation makes sense, since I've often heard that Neil Peart was a follower of Ayn Rand, who was (among many other things) a strong free-marketer.
[Edited 4/3/06 9:16am]