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.
The tears of a crowd of very old children
I string them on a white hair
I throw the wet chain into the air
and wish that I had a mother
No sun shines for me
there was no breast that cried milk
there is a tube that sticks in my throat
I have no navel on my stomach
Mother
I was not allowed to lick any nipples
and there was no fold to hide in
no one gave me a name
fathered in haste and without sperm
For the mother who never gave birth to me
I have sworn tonight
I will send her a sickness
and afterwards make her sink in the river
Mother
An eel lives in her lungs
on my forehead, a birthmark
remove it with the kiss of a knife
even if it causes me to die
Mother
An eel lives in her lungs
on my forehead, a birthmark
remove it with the kiss of a knife
even if it causes me to bleed to death
Mother
Oh give me strength
I string them on a white hair
I throw the wet chain into the air
and wish that I had a mother
No sun shines for me
there was no breast that cried milk
there is a tube that sticks in my throat
I have no navel on my stomach
Mother
I was not allowed to lick any nipples
and there was no fold to hide in
no one gave me a name
fathered in haste and without sperm
For the mother who never gave birth to me
I have sworn tonight
I will send her a sickness
and afterwards make her sink in the river
Mother
An eel lives in her lungs
on my forehead, a birthmark
remove it with the kiss of a knife
even if it causes me to die
Mother
An eel lives in her lungs
on my forehead, a birthmark
remove it with the kiss of a knife
even if it causes me to bleed to death
Mother
Oh give me strength
Lyrics submitted by John M
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who cares if they used the literal translation I mean its still a good song either way that you translate it and personally I think that its spossa be trans'ed that way if you listen to how they sing it, the tone of their voice matches better then any other way