Witch Hunt

I heard this song this morning as I was puttering around in the kitchen. For some reason, it seemed particularly timely. Hard to believe it was written over a quarter of a century ago...

The night is black
Without a moon.
The air is thick and still.
The vigilantes gather on
The lonely torchlit hill.

Features distorted in the flickering light,
The faces are twisted and grotesque.
Silent and stern in the sweltering night,
The mob moves like demons possessed.
Quiet in conscience, calm in their 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,
Our immigrants and infidels.
They say there is strangeness too dangerous
In our theaters 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')", from the Rush album Moving Pictures. © 1981.
Music by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. Lyrics by Neil Peart.