Freewill by Rush Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Anthem of Choice and Determination

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Rush's Freewill at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

There are those who think that life
Has nothing left to chance
A host of holy horrors
To direct our aimless dance

A planet of playthings
We dance on the strings
Of powers we cannot perceive
The stars aren’t aligned
Or the gods are malign
Blame is better to give than receive

You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice

You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that’s clear
I will choose free will

There are those who think that
They’ve been dealt a losing hand
The cards were stacked against them
They weren’t born in Lotus-Land

All preordained
A prisoner in chains
A victim of venomous fate
Kicked in the face
You can’t pray for a place
In heaven’s unearthly estate

You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice

You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that’s clear
I will choose free will

Each of us
A cell of awareness
Imperfect and incomplete
Genetic blends
With uncertain ends
On a fortune hunt
That’s far too fleet

You can choose a ready guide
In some celestial voice
If you choose not to decide
You still have made a choice

You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that’s clear
I will choose free will

Within the intricate tapestry of rock music, Rush’s ‘Freewill’ stands as a formidable testament to both the power of the genre and the profound depth of its lyrical content. A song that is as musically complex as it is philosophically challenging, ‘Freewill’ emerges from Rush’s extensive discography as a cerebral anthem dedicated to the doctrine of free will and self-determination.

Peeling back the layers of this classic rock masterpiece reveals a nuanced conversation about the very nature of fate, choice, and the locus of control in our lives. In threading their music with bold intellectualism, Rush cements their legacy not only as consummate musicians but also as deft philosophers in their own right.

Tugging on the Strings of Fate: The Cosmic Puppetry Explored

From the opening lines of ‘Freewill,’ Rush paints a picture of existential quandary—a world where individuals grapple with the extent of fate’s influence. Are we mere ‘playthings’ in an indifferent universe, or do we hold the reins of our destinies? These lyrics hint at a deterministic universe, where all events and outcomes are preordained by some cosmic script.

Yet, the song doesn’t succumb to fatalism. Instead, it seems to issue a defiant rebuttal to the notion of predestination. The essence of Rush’s message lies in recognizing the invisible ‘powers’ that manipulate ‘a planet of playthings’ but also in the resolve to transcend these perceived constraints.

The Paralysis of Indecision: Why ‘Choosing Not to Decide’ Is Still a Choice

Perhaps the most famous line from ‘Freewill’—and indeed a linchpin of its philosophy—is the axiom that even choosing not to make a decision is, in and of itself, a decisive act. This assertion cuts to the heart of human agency, confronting listeners with the inescapable responsibility of their choices—or their non-choices.

The song’s chorus serves as an anchor, recurrently reminding us that passivity and indecision cannot divest us of accountability. In concert with Geddy Lee’s commanding vocals and the band’s driving instrumentation, the chorus becomes a powerful clarion call to embrace one’s role as an autonomous decision-maker.

Consigning the Blame: Escaping Victimhood and Embracing Agency

Rush refuses to coddle the listener with platitudes about the fairness of life. Instead, ‘Freewill’ acknowledges the brutal honesty of disadvantage and misfortune—a ‘victim of venomous fate.’ Yet, the imagery of a ‘prisoner in chains’ introduces the idea that mental constructs bind us more than any physical shackles.

This stanza seems to suggest that adopting a victim mentality only further restricts one’s free will. Rush promotes empowering oneself by accepting life’s inherent injustices while steadfastly claiming one’s own capacity to respond and persevere.

A Labyrinth of Choices: Between ‘Phantom Fears’ and ‘Kindness That Can Kill’

The dichotomy of choices presented in the song—a binary of fears and dangerous kindness—evinces the complex nature of human decision-making. ‘Freewill’ does not suggest that the choices laid before us are straightforward or clear-cut; rather, it conveys that discernment and wisdom are required to navigate the moral and existential labyrinths of our own making.

By declaring a personal resolve to ‘choose a path that’s clear,’ Rush underscores the value of clarity and resolution. It isn’t just about making a choice but about striving for a choice that aligns with one’s innate values and sense of self.

The Hidden Meaning: A Rallying Cry for Self-Actualization

Delving beneath the surface, ‘Freewill’ reveals itself to be a lyrical manifesto on human potential. Each individual is posited as ‘a cell of awareness,’ a powerful recognition of both our individual significance and our shared human condition—’imperfect and incomplete.’

The song operates as an admission of our collective fallibility, but also as an encouragement to pursue self-actualization. As much as ‘Freewill’ is an articulation of philosophy, it is also an exhortation to engage in the relentless pursuit of personal growth and self-determined destiny.