Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson I see the middle kingdom between heaven and earth Like the chinese call the country of their birth We all figure that our homes are set above Other people than the ones we know and love In every place with a name They play the same territorial game Hiding behind the lines Sending up warning signs The whole wide world An endless universe Yet we keep looking through The eyeglass in reverse Don't feed the people But we feed the machines Can't really feel What international means In different circles We keep holding our ground In different circles We keep spinning round and round 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 colour of your shirt Better the pride that resides In a citizen of the world Than the pride that divides When a colourful rag is unfurled
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson I see the middle kingdom between heaven and earth Like the chinese call the country of their birth We all figure that our homes are set above Other people than the ones we know and love In every place with a name They play the same territorial game Hiding behind the lines Sending up warning signs The whole wide world An endless universe Yet we keep looking through The eyeglass in reverse Don't feed the people But we feed the machines Can't really feel What international means In different circles We keep holding our ground In different circles We keep spinning round and round 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 colour of your shirt Better the pride that resides In a citizen of the world Than the pride that divides When a colourful rag is unfurled
