From: johe@njmsa.umdnj.edu (Rene Johe)
Newsgroups: alt.music.rush
Subject: Re: What is "Fountain of Lamneth" about?
Date: 16 Apr 92 22:07:48 GMT
Organization: New Jersey Medical School, Newark NJ
Originator: johe@njmsa.umdnj.edu




>	The first Rush album I ever listened to in its entirity was,
>believe it or not, _Caress of Steel_.  It still remains one of my
>favorite albums of theirs.  Anyway, I am really interested in hearing
>people's interpretations of "The Fountain of Lamneth," the six-part
>song on the second side of the LP (at the end of the CD).  

In my opinion, Caress of Steel is one of their top 3 albums.

>	Do you think that there is an overall meaning to the piece, or
>is it just a bunch of different songs thrown together.  Can it be viewed
>as an allegory of life with the first part (which I think is called "In
>the Valley,") representing birth, "Didacts and Narpets" representing
>childhood and education, "Panacea" representing puberty (awareness of
>sexual/romantic love),"Bacchus Plateau" as old age (with its nostalgia for
>the past yet acceptance of coming death). and the closing piece, "The
>Fountain", as being about death.  If so, what does "No-one at the Bridge"
>represent in this schema?

"No-one at the Bridge," in my opinion represents the travelers questions
regarding the meaning of life. Mainly it focuses on the unavoidable
suffering associated with the human condition. He feels lost in the chaos
of everyday life, a chaos which gets resolved partially when he meets his
great love "Panacea." I DON'T think Panacea deals with puberty. The female
characteristic of Panacea no doubt suggest sexual aspects to the
relationship, but I think any great "passion" which gives meaning to life
may be substituted (ie lovers, music, writing, COMPUTING...). Notice,
however, that the answer to life never really gets resolved until death.
Reminds me of Beowolf.

>	The whole piece is set up as quest--  from the moment the narrator/
>protagonist is born, he "live[s] to climb that mountain to the fountain of
>Lamneth."  What is so important about his attaining this fountain.  What
>does it represent?

The answer to (and reason for) life.

>  Does the fact that he dies upon reaching the fountain
>mean that life is no longer worth living or is the fountain death itself?
>This quest clearly seems to be something he has to achieve by himself--
>his friends desert him (in "No-One at the Bridge") and he has to leave the
>woman he loves (in "Panacea")--  but their seems to be somebody he's 
>drinking with in "Bacchus Plateau." Who?  Is this drinking and reminiscing
>about the past simply a phase which one goes through before getting to the
>fountain, or is it an obstacle preventing one from getting there?

The drinking ("draw another chalice") represents the water of life. He has
gotton tired of living but still has no answers.


>Finally, I'd like to know if any of you have been able to figure out the
>words that are shouted out during "Didacts and Narpets."  From what I've
>been able to discern they seem to platitude-commands of the sort that
>parents and teachers tell children: some of the ones I think I've heard are
>"Forgive!", "Let live!", "Pay the Price!", "Do it right!", and, of course,
>"Listen!"  I'm not really sure though.

I've always though that was a backward message. I listened to it many times,
and it is deffinitely jibberish played forward.

R.J.