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.
I want to find the water
That will wash the whole damned slate clean
Break down
Break up
We sleep in what we create
Right now, I'm living so much hate
Right here, my sins have all been paid
To you
Your friends
And for your sake
I feel dirty and
So depraved
My knees have bled
To hold you here
But now I've lost the taste
For lies force fed as time well spent
Right now, I'm living so much hate
Right here, my sins have all been paid
To you
Your friends
And for your sake
I feel dirty and
So depraved
And if another angel
Says just grin and bear it
I might be forced
To smash it's head
Against a wall
And never sin again
And if another angel
Says just grin and bear it
I might be forced
To smash it's fucking head
Against a wall
And never sin again
Against myself and trust in anyone
Write me off for suffering
It's a joke
I give up
That will wash the whole damned slate clean
Break down
Break up
We sleep in what we create
Right now, I'm living so much hate
Right here, my sins have all been paid
To you
Your friends
And for your sake
I feel dirty and
So depraved
My knees have bled
To hold you here
But now I've lost the taste
For lies force fed as time well spent
Right now, I'm living so much hate
Right here, my sins have all been paid
To you
Your friends
And for your sake
I feel dirty and
So depraved
And if another angel
Says just grin and bear it
I might be forced
To smash it's head
Against a wall
And never sin again
And if another angel
Says just grin and bear it
I might be forced
To smash it's fucking head
Against a wall
And never sin again
Against myself and trust in anyone
Write me off for suffering
It's a joke
I give up
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i think the song's about what people are expected to put up with in this society, to "grin and bear" certain unpleasantries... we teach people to be modest, meek, forgiving, apologetic, and shameful while letting others walk all over them. and when someone opens their mouth or raises a fist they are spoken out against and often laughed at. "it's a joke. i give up" ...sad that so many people are trained this way without even knowing it