Heresy (Rush song)

Heresy is a song written by and performed by Rush and appears on their 1991 album "Roll The Bones". The song is about the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and Russia, the winds of change through those countries, and it ultimately asked the question; "Who will pay?"

ong's Lyrics

The song speaks of the wall coming down, how people on the east side of it were finally happy to be free again, and how their lives were stunted and wasted throughout those years.

The song then speaks of sudden capitalism with people who were now free buying up everything they've ever wanted to.

Then it ends with the fact that all other countries that were not under the communist yoke were threatened by the possibility of nuclear war.

Ultimately the songs main line was; "All those precious wasted years. Who will pay?"

Notes

Rush drummer Neil Peart penned the lyrics to the song, and also discussed the situation further in his fourth book; "Roadshow: Landscape with Drums"
This is one of only three songs by Rush which contains potentially offensive language, "All the crap we had to take". The other two are Dog Years, in which Geddy sings "For every sad son of a bitch", and the third song is The Pass from the album Presto, which contains the line "Christ, what have you done?".