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.
Why must I be the thief
Why must I be the thief
Oh Lord, please won't you tell me
Why must I be the thief
Why must I be the thief
Please said today a man
And how come you're the only one
Who's beggaring, who always stays?
Why must I be the thief
But I stop the hanging man
How come you're the only one
Living by the open hand?
Now why must I be the thief
Why must I be the thief
You cursed the butterfly
And the holy man who bowed his head
Looked the Arctic height
The thief tried that cross
To shed the other's face
But the Jesus man said not now
I'd rather not now, it's far too late
Far too late, far too late
Far too late, far too late
Far too late, far too late
Far too late
Do what you must
Take what you can
Steer the part of every heart
Every elder man, every elder man
Every elder man
I'm the thief, I am the thief
And you're my heart, yes, and you're my heart
But I got you then, yes I will
'Cause you're, 'cause I missed just your flight
Just your flight
Fly, fly, fly, fly
Fly, fly, fly, fly
I'll get you late âcause it's just goodbye
I'll get you late, it's just goodbye
I'll get you late, it's just goodbye
Why must I be the thief
Oh Lord, please won't you tell me
Why must I be the thief
Why must I be the thief
Please said today a man
And how come you're the only one
Who's beggaring, who always stays?
Why must I be the thief
But I stop the hanging man
How come you're the only one
Living by the open hand?
Now why must I be the thief
Why must I be the thief
You cursed the butterfly
And the holy man who bowed his head
Looked the Arctic height
The thief tried that cross
To shed the other's face
But the Jesus man said not now
I'd rather not now, it's far too late
Far too late, far too late
Far too late, far too late
Far too late, far too late
Far too late
Do what you must
Take what you can
Steer the part of every heart
Every elder man, every elder man
Every elder man
I'm the thief, I am the thief
And you're my heart, yes, and you're my heart
But I got you then, yes I will
'Cause you're, 'cause I missed just your flight
Just your flight
Fly, fly, fly, fly
Fly, fly, fly, fly
I'll get you late âcause it's just goodbye
I'll get you late, it's just goodbye
I'll get you late, it's just goodbye
Lyrics submitted by Songmeaningsuser, edited by mlsrez
Thief Lyrics as written by Irmin Schmidt Holger Schuering
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Peermusic Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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