A Farewell to Kings (song)

Infobox Song
Name = A Farewell to Kings


SorA = album
Artist = Rush
Album = A Farewell to Kings
Released = August 18 1977
track_no = 1
Recorded = 1977, Rockfield Studios
Genre = Progressive rock
Length = 5:51
Writer = Peart
Composer = Lee & Lifeson
Label = Mercury Records
Producer = Rush & Terry Brown
Chart position =
prev = None
prev_no =
next = "Xanadu"
next_no = 2

A Farewell to Kings is the title track from Canadian progressive rock trio Rush's 1977 album A Farewell to Kings. The song, while not one of Rush's better known songs, has been included on the double-disc Rush compilation album Chronicles.

The song begins with a serene, medieval-sounding ditty played by Lifeson on classical guitar, before opening into a full-out rocker. Most notably, is the song's distinct mid-section, containing a tricky alternating 5/8, 7/8 time signature. Geddy Lee and Neil Peart hold a constant rhythm over this, while Lifeson performs a unique guitar solo, showcasing some of his best attributes: heavy use of the tremolo bar, pinch harmonics and lightning-fast arpeggios.

The last verse of the song contains a reference to one of Rush's best known songs, Closer to the Heart, another track on the album.