The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect
So hard to earn, so easily burned
In the fullness of time
A garden to nurture and protect
It's a measure of a life.
As fans, we want to believe that our favorite artists have more creativity within them; that the art we love so much will never come to an end.
However, the truth is that every good story deserves a good ending, and Clockwork Angels was a beautiful an ending to Rush’s discography fans could have ever hoped for.
“The Garden” is its pinnacle. I think the guys knew, going in, that this would be the last new Rush song we’d ever hear. So they had to make it count.
“The Garden” is a dying man’s love letter to life, to music, to love, to philosophy, to his bandmates, to his fans. A summation of all that came before, and an acknowledgement of what truly matters in life. It is the kind of letter each of us wishes we could write to future generations. I can’t listen to it without weeping, but also feeling deeply at peace.
In the final measures, Neil plays several fills—I can’t be sure of it, but I’m pretty sure each of those fills comes from other famous Rush songs and drum solos through the decades. Maybe Neil’s personal favorites?
Today is Neil’s birthday. I listen to “The Garden” in his honor, with gratitude in my heart for the decades he shared with us. Thanks, Professor, for everything.