Witch Hunt: Part III Of 'Fear'
Rush · Other Songs - Rush
Without a moon
The air is thick, and still
The vigilantes gather on
The lonely torchlit hill
Features distorted in the flickering light
Their faces are twisted and grotesque
Silent and stern in the sweltering night
The mob moves like demons possesed
Quiet in conscience, calm in thier right
Confident their ways are best
The righteous rise
With burning eyes
Of hatred and ill-will
Madmen fed on fear and lies
To beat, and burn, and kill
They say there are strangers, who threaten us
In our immigrants and infidels
They say there is strangeness, too dangerous
In our theatres and bookstore shelves
Those who know what's best for us-
Must rise and save us, from ourselves
Quick to judge
Quick to anger
Slow to understand
Ignorance and prejudice
And fear
Walk hand in hand
Witch Hunt: Part III Of 'Fear'
This track stands as a pivotal moment in Rush's progressive rock catalog, serving as the third installment of their 1976 concept album Fear of the Dark. The song exemplifies the band's signature fusion of complex time signatures, intricate guitar harmonies, and Neil Peart's driving drumming, all woven into a narrative exploring themes of paranoia and societal persecution. As a standalone recording, it showcases the group's ability to construct dense, atmospheric soundscapes that demand active listening. The composition remains a staple of the band's discography, illustrating their evolution from hard rock to a more sophisticated, theatrical style that would define their later work. Its enduring popularity underscores its status as a defining piece of 1970s progressive rock.