Roll the Bones (Rush)

Shannon’s Perspective:

“We come into the world and take our chances
Fate is just the weight of circumstances
That's the way that lady luck dances
Roll the bones
Roll the bones”

The Roll the Bones album is probably my favorite Rush album. I know, I know it’s probably blasphemous to even have a favorite but if you made me pick one this one would probably be it. And this song in particular has always been one of my faves from the album.

Larry’s Pick: Roll The Bones

10/29/1991 - life B.S. (before Shannon) - I was watching Rush tour for this album. Considering it was released on 9/3/1991 I didn't have a lot of time to learn the songs before the concert... but I managed.

Lyrics speak for themselves on this song, but even better - listen to Neil himself talk about the inspiration and writing of it, which I embedded above. There are some great nuggets in there.

And then there's this, my 2nd most prized Rush possession, the first being my autographed Power Windows lithograph.
ROW THE BOATS!
ROW THE BOATS!
Roll The Bones
Music by Lee and Lifeson / Lyrics by Peart

Well, you can stake that claim
Good work is the key to good fortune
Winners take that praise
Losers seldom take that blame

If they don't take that game
And sometimes the winner takes nothing
We draw our own designs
Fortune has to make that frame

We go out in the world and take our chances
Fate is just the weight of circumstances
That's the way that lady luck dances
Roll the bones... roll the bones

Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones... roll the bones
Why does it happen?
Because it happens
Roll the bones... roll the bones

Faith is cold as ice
Why are little ones born only to suffer
For the want of immunity
Or a bowl of rice?

Well, who would hold a price
On the heads of the innocent children
If there's some immortal power
To control the dice?

We come into the world and take our chances
Fate is just the weight of circumstances
That's the way that lady luck dances
Roll the bones... roll the bones

Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones... roll the bones
Why does it happen?
Because it happens
Roll the bones... roll the bones

Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones... roll the bones
Why does it happen?

Jack - relax.
Get busy with the facts.
No zodiacs or almanacs,
No maniacs in polyester slacks.
Just the facts.
Gonna kick some gluteus max.
It's a parallax - you dig?
You move around
The small gets big. It's a rig
It's action - reaction -
Random interaction.
So who's afraid
Of a little abstraction?
Can't get no satisfaction
From the facts?
You better run, homeboy -
A fact's a fact
From Nome to Rome, boy.

What's the deal? Spin the wheel.
If the dice are hot - take a shot.
Play your cards. Show us what you got -
What you're holding.
If the cards are cold,
Don't go folding.
Lady Luck is golden;
She favors the bold. That's cold
Stop throwing stones -
The night has a thousand saxophones.
So get out there and rock,
And roll the bones.
Get busy!

Roll the bones

Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones... roll the bones
Why does it happen?
Because it happens
Roll the bones... roll the bones

Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones... roll the bones
Why does it happen?
Because it happens
Roll the bones... roll the bones

Why does it happen?
Because it happens
Roll the bones... roll the bones

Why are we here?
Because we're here
Roll the bones... roll the bones

Why does it happen?
Because it happens
Roll the bones... roll the bones


Rest In Peace, Neil Peart - 09/12/1952 - 01/07/2020
30th Anniversary
Our Story - Shannon's Perspective
Our Story - Larry's Perspective
Ghost of a Chance (Rush) and why?

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