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 phone rings, it's early, it's seven o'clock
He says sorry I woke you, but I just had to talk
You know last night, remember when I tried to choke you?
I didn't mean it, I was drunk, it was only a joke
You should know that by now
When the checkered flag comes down
No one, no one, no one has won the race
The next night he's over and over and under
And after he's finished she lies there and wonders
Just why does she need him and why does she stay here
And then in the darkness she'll quietly say dear
You've never really known that when the white flag is flown
No one, no one, no one has won the war
They're complicated people
Leading complicated lives
And he complicates their problems
Telling complicated lies
He tells her he's sorry, she tells him it's over
He tells her he's sorry, she says over and over
You've never really known that when the white flag is flown
No one, no one, no one has won the war
There goes a forest and there goes a bluebird
There goes a partridge and there goes a Go Train
There goes an angel and there goes a steeple
There goes a cop car and there goes an eagle
There goes a raven and there go the ribbons
There goes a raven and there go the ribbons
There goes a raven and there go
The ribbons, the ribbons, the ribbons
The ribbons of the flag
Of the flag
Of the flag
Of the flag (of the flag)
Of the flag (of the flag)
Of the flag (of the flag)
Of the flag
He says sorry I woke you, but I just had to talk
You know last night, remember when I tried to choke you?
I didn't mean it, I was drunk, it was only a joke
You should know that by now
When the checkered flag comes down
No one, no one, no one has won the race
The next night he's over and over and under
And after he's finished she lies there and wonders
Just why does she need him and why does she stay here
And then in the darkness she'll quietly say dear
You've never really known that when the white flag is flown
No one, no one, no one has won the war
They're complicated people
Leading complicated lives
And he complicates their problems
Telling complicated lies
He tells her he's sorry, she tells him it's over
He tells her he's sorry, she says over and over
You've never really known that when the white flag is flown
No one, no one, no one has won the war
There goes a forest and there goes a bluebird
There goes a partridge and there goes a Go Train
There goes an angel and there goes a steeple
There goes a cop car and there goes an eagle
There goes a raven and there go the ribbons
There goes a raven and there go the ribbons
There goes a raven and there go
The ribbons, the ribbons, the ribbons
The ribbons of the flag
Of the flag
Of the flag
Of the flag (of the flag)
Of the flag (of the flag)
Of the flag (of the flag)
Of the flag
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i agree with you guys, you can tell that its about a couple and skeezmo is soo right. i think this is a really beautiful song that makes me cry, but i still dont get the "there goes a..." part.