A Farewell to Kings

A Farewell To Kings is a rock album by the Canadian band Rush. It was released in the autumn of 1977 following 2112 and All The World's a Stage (both 1976). The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios, Wales, in June 1977 and mixed at Advision Studios in London.

The lyrics of the long cut "Xanadu" were inspired by the 56-line poem Kubla Khan, written in 1798(?) by English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. In this respect there is a link to Welcome To The Pleasuredome by English pop band Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

Tracks

1. "A Farewell To Kings" 5:51
2. "Xanadu" 11:08
3. "Closer To The Heart" 2:53
4. "Cinderella Man" 4:21
5. "Madrigal" 2:35
6. "Cygnus X-1" 10:25

All music and lyrics by Lee, Lifeson and Peart except "Closer To The Heart" where the lyrics were co-written with Talbot.

Personnel

• Geddy Lee - twelve string guitar, vocals
• Alex Lifeson - electric and acoustic guitars, synthesizer
• Neil Peart - drums, cowbells, orchestra bells, wind chimes, triangle

• Terry Brown - engineer
• Hugh Syme - art direction and graphics
• Yosh Inouye - cover photography
• Fin Costello - band photograph