About A Farewell To Kings
A Farewell To Kings was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales, and mixed at Advision Studios in London. The album took three weeks to record and two weeks to mix. It was the band’s Rush’s first US gold-selling album, receiving the certification within two months of its release, and was eventually certified platinum. The band was happy with how it turned out. Geddy recalled in 1978:
“It’s the only one of our albums apart from ‘2112‘ that I can really live with. I’ve yet to look at it and start finding fault with it, pick it apart, you know…it still sounds so positive.”
And with respect to Rockfield Studios, Geddy said:
“We were very happy with the sound we got there for ‘Kings’, also it’s got so much to offer… Rockfield is so good if you want to experiment–you know, you can go outside to record, use their weird echo room…that’s the kind of environment we like…”
The birds heard on “A Farewell to Kings” and “Xanadu” were recorded outside near Rockfield Studios.
Credits
Produced by
Rush and Terry Brown
Engineered by
Pat Moran and Terry Brown (Broon)
Art direction and graphics
Cover photography
Yosh Inouye
Sleeve photography
Roger Stowell
Liner photographs
Fin Costello
Design assistance
Bob King
Mastered by
JAMF Toronto by George Graves
Later remastered by Bob Ludwig and Brian Lee
Gateway Mastering Studios
Portland Maine
Management
Ray Danniels
SRO Productions
Toronto
Executive Production
Moon Records
A Farewell to Kings
Music: Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart
Lyrics: Neil Peart
When they turn the pages of history
When these days have passed long ago
Will they read of us with sadness
For the seeds that we let grow
We turned our gaze
From the castles in the distance
Eyes cast down
On the path of least resistance
Cities full of hatred
Fear and lies
Withered hearts
And cruel, tormented eyes
Scheming demons
Dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude
And scoffing at the wise
The hypocrites are slandering
The sacred halls of Truth
Ancient nobles showering
Their bitterness on youth
Can’t we find
The minds that made us strong
Can’t we learn
To feel what’s right and wrong
Cities full of hatred
Fear and lies
Withered hearts
And cruel, tormented eyes
Scheming demons
Dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude
And scoffing at the wise
Can’t we raise our eyes
And make a start
Can’t we find the minds
To lead us closer to the Heart