Alex Lifeson - Countdown lyrics

Lit up with anticipation We arrive at the launching site The sky is still dark Nearing dawn On the Florida coastline Circling choppers slash the night With roving searchlight beams This magic day when super-science Mingles with the bright stuff of dreams Floodlit in the hazy distance The star of this unearthly show Venting vapours, like the breath Of a sleeping white dragon Crackling speakers Voices tense Resume the final count All systems check T minus nine As the sun and the drama start to mount The air is charged – a humid, motionless ma** The crowds and the cameras The cars full of spectators pa** Excitement so thick – you could cut it with a knife Technology – high, on the leading edge of life The earth beneath us starts to tremble With the spreading of a low black cloud A thunderous roar shakes the air Like the whole world exploding Scorching blast of golden fire As it slowly leaves the ground Tears away with a mighty force The air is shattered by the awesome sound Like a pillar of cloud The smoke lingers High in the air In fascination – with the eyes of the world We stare