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.
Sister I'm heading out of alabama
So you better think fast
The wind is gonna pick me up now
And the rain won't slack
I'm heading down to georgia
So don't lose track
Of where you've been and where you're going now
Who you've seen and what they lack
And why you come undone
Every time you go there
You come undone
Yeah
Yeah
I know your heart's in danger
And so is your life
I said you learn to trust a stranger
And stop and rest for the night
Set your sight up in the headlight
Well the moon won't be enough
(sister)
And light the embers of another
And the night won't won't seem so rough
Sister
Ah
There was a bloody beast of burden
(i wish I was a mother)
On a dark texas road
(with a baby at my breast)
A woman in a family way
(i am just a farmer)
And a car that lost control
(with a milkcow and a mess)
I'm studying the distance
(i wish I was a mother)
Between the blanket and the gun
(with a baby at my breast)
I got ten hours to natchez
(i am just a farmer)
And another ten home
(with a milkcow and a mess)
Well I'm goin' home
Yes
I know your heart's in danger
(sister)
And so is your life
(sister)
I say learn to trust a stranger
(learn to trust)
And stop and rest for the night
Set your sight up in the headlight
Yeah the moon won't be enough
And light the embers of another
And the night won't seem so rough
Sister
Go ahead
I said come on
Ah oh yeah
Ah oh yeah
Ah oh yeah
Ah oh yeah
I said it's trust that brought me here
And trust will bring me home
So you better think fast
The wind is gonna pick me up now
And the rain won't slack
I'm heading down to georgia
So don't lose track
Of where you've been and where you're going now
Who you've seen and what they lack
And why you come undone
Every time you go there
You come undone
Yeah
Yeah
I know your heart's in danger
And so is your life
I said you learn to trust a stranger
And stop and rest for the night
Set your sight up in the headlight
Well the moon won't be enough
(sister)
And light the embers of another
And the night won't won't seem so rough
Sister
Ah
There was a bloody beast of burden
(i wish I was a mother)
On a dark texas road
(with a baby at my breast)
A woman in a family way
(i am just a farmer)
And a car that lost control
(with a milkcow and a mess)
I'm studying the distance
(i wish I was a mother)
Between the blanket and the gun
(with a baby at my breast)
I got ten hours to natchez
(i am just a farmer)
And another ten home
(with a milkcow and a mess)
Well I'm goin' home
Yes
I know your heart's in danger
(sister)
And so is your life
(sister)
I say learn to trust a stranger
(learn to trust)
And stop and rest for the night
Set your sight up in the headlight
Yeah the moon won't be enough
And light the embers of another
And the night won't seem so rough
Sister
Go ahead
I said come on
Ah oh yeah
Ah oh yeah
Ah oh yeah
Ah oh yeah
I said it's trust that brought me here
And trust will bring me home
Lyrics submitted by ThePurpleAngel
Sister Lyrics as written by Emily Ann Saliers Amy Elizabeth Ray
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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