Presto

November 1989 . 13th Studio Recording

A Show of Hands 1989 Roll the Bones 1991

Presto Lyrics

Available on Presto

Music: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson
Lyrics: Neil Peart

if I could wave my magic wand…

I am made from the dust of the stars
and the oceans flow in my veins
Here I hide in the heart of the city
like a stranger coming out of the rain

the evening plane rises up from the runway
over constellations of light
I look down into a million houses
and wonder what you’re doing tonight

If I could wave my magic wand
I’d make everything all right

I’m not one to believe in magic
But I sometimes have a second-sight
I’m not one with a sense of proportion
When my heart still changes overnight

I had a dream of a winter garden
a midnight rendezvous
silver, blue, and frozen silence
what a fool I was for you

I had a dream of the open water
I was swimming away out to sea
so deep I could never touch bottom
what a fool I used to be

If I could wave my magic wand
I’d set everybody free

I’m not one to believe in magic
Though my memory has a second-sight
I’m not one to go pointing my finger
When I radiate more heat than light

don’t ask me
I’m just improvising
my illusion of careless flight
can’t you see
my temperature’s rising
I radiate more heat than light

don’t ask me
I’m just sympathizing
my illusions a harmless flight
can’t you see
my temperature’s rising
I radiate more heat than light