The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Caught in the chaos in the market square
I don't know what, I don't know why, but something's wrong down there
Their bodies twistin' and turnin' in a thousand ways
The eyes all rollin' round and round into a distant gaze
Ah, look at that crowd!
Some are jumping up in the air say "We're drowning in a torrent of blood!"
Others going down on their knees, seen a saviour coming out of the mud
Oh Mother! It's eating out my soul
Destroying law and order, I'm gonna lose control
What can I do to stop this plague, spread by sight alone
Just a glimpse and then a quiver, then they shiver to the bone
Ah, look at them go!
Bunderschaft, you are going daft? Better seal off the castle grounds
"This is Moribund, the Burgermeister, I'm gonna keep this monster down,
Somebody sent the subversive element; going to chase it out of town."
No-one will tell what all this is about
But I will find out.
This thing's really outrageous, I tell you on the level
It's really so contagious must be the work of the devil
You better go now, pick up the pipers, tell them to play
Seems the music keeps them quiet, there is no other way.
Ah, close the doors!
"We've tried potions and waxen dolls, but none of us could find any cures,"
Mother please, is it just a disease, that has them breaking all my laws,
Check if you can disconnect the effect and I'll go after the cause
No-one will tell what this is all about
But I will find out
I will.
I don't know what, I don't know why, but something's wrong down there
Their bodies twistin' and turnin' in a thousand ways
The eyes all rollin' round and round into a distant gaze
Ah, look at that crowd!
Some are jumping up in the air say "We're drowning in a torrent of blood!"
Others going down on their knees, seen a saviour coming out of the mud
Oh Mother! It's eating out my soul
Destroying law and order, I'm gonna lose control
What can I do to stop this plague, spread by sight alone
Just a glimpse and then a quiver, then they shiver to the bone
Ah, look at them go!
Bunderschaft, you are going daft? Better seal off the castle grounds
"This is Moribund, the Burgermeister, I'm gonna keep this monster down,
Somebody sent the subversive element; going to chase it out of town."
No-one will tell what all this is about
But I will find out.
This thing's really outrageous, I tell you on the level
It's really so contagious must be the work of the devil
You better go now, pick up the pipers, tell them to play
Seems the music keeps them quiet, there is no other way.
Ah, close the doors!
"We've tried potions and waxen dolls, but none of us could find any cures,"
Mother please, is it just a disease, that has them breaking all my laws,
Check if you can disconnect the effect and I'll go after the cause
No-one will tell what this is all about
But I will find out
I will.
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The literal meaning is the story of a medieval town leader (burger meister = town master) trying to deal with an outbreak of madness in the townsfolk, and his determination and self-doubt.
Underneath that, though, I think, is an allegory about the natural human panic at being thrown out of our depth, having our idea of how the world works challenged on a profound level, and being frightened of change.
I think both the literal and allegorical stories are sly references to parents being freaked out by how their children dance (and, by extension, their music, their speech, their morals, and so on).
I always thought that it was about ergot-infected rye. In the middle ages sometimes whole towns' stores of rye got infected with a fungus which caused animals and people to go crazy. It was called St Anthony's Fire, and made them convulse and hallucinate.
In 1518, Strasbourg was stricken by the Dancing Plague. It could be that.
Great soundtrack to an old black & white horror movie based in Bavaria!!
The lyrics are pretty self explanatory.
Although, I'd like to add that this song feels to be an extension of The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. I realize it doesn't fit within the story but the style in the music is very much comparable.
It's a great song and a nice transition going from Genesis to his solo work.
well, the "plot" seems to be pretty clear, i just wonder what inspired peter to write this song.. and i believe it could be metaphorical.. then i have no idea what does all the metaphor thing mean.