Territories

A commentary on nationalism, tribalism, and the arbitrary lines humans draw to divide themselves. Peart questions the pride people take in accidents of birth — the borders, flags, and identities that separate rather than unite. The lyrics challenge the listener to see beyond territorial instincts.

The arrangement incorporates world-music elements, including bongos that Peart's drum tech specifically collected for the track. The global musical palette reinforces the song's message about transcending borders. Lifeson's guitar has a distinctly percussive quality throughout.

"Territories" was one of the songs Peart initially struggled with during the writing sessions at Elora, but it "just fell together" when the band returned from their Florida warm-up tour. Its themes about nationalism and tribalism have remained persistently relevant.