- For other songs of the same name, see Jacob's Ladder (song).
"Jacob's Ladder" is a song from the Permanent Waves album by Rush. It is considered one of the outstanding examples of program music in progressive rock. Played with a constantly shifting time signature, the basic concept of "Jacob's Ladder" is the description through music of a storm. The sparse lyrics, counterpointing the music, act as markers to the song, articulating the moment within the storm. The reference to the biblical Jacob's Ladder — Jacob's vision of a ladder from Heaven which angels went up and down — ties in with the final stanza of lyrics, which equate the storm of the music with an individual's life. There is also the suggestion in this lyric ('...the shifting shafts of shining weave the fabric of their dreams') that perhaps in ancient times wholly natural events were interpreted as something supernatural, subsequently giving rise to legend and myth. In this case the dazzling motes of sunlight breaking through a passing storm cloud were seen by Jacob as a heavenly vision. The song was covered by progressive metal band Dream Theater in Toronto on March 22 2006.
