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.
Cold as steel the darkness waits
It's hour will come
A cry of fear for the chosen worshipping the sun
Mother nature's black revenge on those who waste her life
War babies in the garden of Eden
Shall turn our ashes to ice
Sunrise has gone, freezing up the fires
Sunrise has gone, numbing all desires
Sunrise has gone
Sunrise has gone
Around the world the people stop with terror-stricken eyes
A shadow cast upon them all to crush them like a fly
In the icy rain and whiplashed seas
There's nowhere left to run
The hammer blows of winter fall, like a hurricane
Sunrise has gone, freezing up the fires
Sunrise has gone, numbing all desires
Around the world the nations wait
For some wise words from their leading light
You know it's not only madmen who listen to fools
"Is this the end?" the millions cried
Clutching their riches as they died
Those who survive must weather the storm
Gone are the days when man looked down
They've taken away his sacred crown
To be so free, it took so long
It's not the journeys end, it's just begun
It's hour will come
A cry of fear for the chosen worshipping the sun
Mother nature's black revenge on those who waste her life
War babies in the garden of Eden
Shall turn our ashes to ice
Sunrise has gone, freezing up the fires
Sunrise has gone, numbing all desires
Sunrise has gone
Sunrise has gone
Around the world the people stop with terror-stricken eyes
A shadow cast upon them all to crush them like a fly
In the icy rain and whiplashed seas
There's nowhere left to run
The hammer blows of winter fall, like a hurricane
Sunrise has gone, freezing up the fires
Sunrise has gone, numbing all desires
Around the world the nations wait
For some wise words from their leading light
You know it's not only madmen who listen to fools
"Is this the end?" the millions cried
Clutching their riches as they died
Those who survive must weather the storm
Gone are the days when man looked down
They've taken away his sacred crown
To be so free, it took so long
It's not the journeys end, it's just begun
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I feel this song is about the Apocalypse that befalls mankind and almost ends the human race. The human race is being cursed for the misuse of all the natural resources Mother Nature has given to them.
So now only a few are left to rebuild the human race as they were meant to be..... That's why the end verse... 'It's not the journeys end, it's just begun'
Just a shot at the meaning.. dont know if I am correct or not.