Tom sawyer from the album Moving Pictures, is the ‘definitive’ Rush song.
Meaningful lyrics is coupled with tight rock music ( all three are excellent performers).
Today’s Tom Sawyer is a rebel-hero( always hopeful, yet discontent), He is independent, and mindful of government and religion…
The album was releases in 1981, and the video, I believe, is from exit stage left.
Partial lyrics:
A modern-day warrior
Mean mean stride,
Today’s Tom Sawyer
Mean mean pride.
Though his mind is not for rent,
Don’t put him down as arrogant.
His reserve, a quiet defense,
Riding out the day’s events.
The river
And what you say about his company
Is what you say about society.
Catch the mist, catch the myth
Catch the mystery, catch the drift.
No, his mind is not for rent
To any god or government.
Always hopeful, yet discontent,
He knows changes aren’t permanent,
But change is.