Living on a lighted stage
Approaches the unreal
For those who think and feel
In touch with some reality beyond the gilded cage

Cast in this unlikely role
Ill-equipped to act
With insufficient tact
One must put up barriers to keep oneself intact

Living in the limelight, the universal dream
For those who wish to seem
Those who wish to be, must put aside the alienation
Get on with the fascination
The real relation, the underlying theme

Living in a fisheye lens
Caught in the camera eye
I have no heart to lie
I can't pretend a stranger is a long-awaited friend

All the world's indeed a stage
We are merely players
Performers and portrayers
Each another's audience outside the gilded cage

Living in the limelight, the universal dream
For those who wish to seem
Those who wish to be, must put aside the alienation
Get on with the fascination
The real relation, the underlying theme.

The River Dreams (Live version)
Words and Music: Geddy Lee / Alex Lifeson / Neil Peart

Recorded live at “Club Chocolate” Recoleta, Santiago de Chile; October 10th, 2023