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.
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
Cut the paper to the bone
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
And the rock must stand alone
I could disappear into the crowd
But not if I keep my head in the clouds
I could walk away so proud
It's easy enough if you don't laugh too loud
I thought I was okay alone
Wait for the postman and the telephone
Lost in a world of my own
I thought I could run alone
Thought I could run through the night alone
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
Cut the paper to the bone
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
And the rock must stand alone
Hand over hand
Doesn't seem so much
Hand over hand
Is the strength of the common touch
You talk as we walk along
You never imagined I could be so wrong
Humming your favorite song
You know I've hated that song for so long
How can we ever agree?
Like the rest of the world
We grow farther apart
I swear you don't listen to me
Holding my hand to my heart
Holding my fist to my racing heart
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
Cut the paper to the bone
Take a walk outside myself
In some exotic land
Greet a passing stranger
Feel the strength in his hand
Feel the world expand
I feel my spirit resist
But I open up my fist
Lay hand over hand over
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
Cut the paper to the bone
Hand over hand
Doesn't seem so much
Hand over hand
Is the strength of the common touch
Hand over hand
Doesn't seem so much
Hand over hand
Is the strength of the common touch
Hand over hand
Doesn't seem so much
Hand over hand
Is the strength of the common touch
Hand over hand
Doesn't seem so much
Hand over hand
Cut the paper to the bone
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
Cut the paper to the bone
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
Cut the paper to the bone
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
Cut the paper to the bone
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
Cut the paper to the bone
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
And the rock must stand alone
I could disappear into the crowd
But not if I keep my head in the clouds
I could walk away so proud
It's easy enough if you don't laugh too loud
I thought I was okay alone
Wait for the postman and the telephone
Lost in a world of my own
I thought I could run alone
Thought I could run through the night alone
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
Cut the paper to the bone
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
And the rock must stand alone
Hand over hand
Doesn't seem so much
Hand over hand
Is the strength of the common touch
You talk as we walk along
You never imagined I could be so wrong
Humming your favorite song
You know I've hated that song for so long
How can we ever agree?
Like the rest of the world
We grow farther apart
I swear you don't listen to me
Holding my hand to my heart
Holding my fist to my racing heart
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
Cut the paper to the bone
Take a walk outside myself
In some exotic land
Greet a passing stranger
Feel the strength in his hand
Feel the world expand
I feel my spirit resist
But I open up my fist
Lay hand over hand over
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
Cut the paper to the bone
Hand over hand
Doesn't seem so much
Hand over hand
Is the strength of the common touch
Hand over hand
Doesn't seem so much
Hand over hand
Is the strength of the common touch
Hand over hand
Doesn't seem so much
Hand over hand
Is the strength of the common touch
Hand over hand
Doesn't seem so much
Hand over hand
Cut the paper to the bone
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
Cut the paper to the bone
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
Cut the paper to the bone
Hand over fist
Paper around the stone
Scissors cut the paper
Cut the paper to the bone
Lyrics submitted by shed27, edited by OneQuickSix
Hand Over Fist Lyrics as written by Geddy Lee Alex Lifeson
Lyrics © Anthem Entertainment
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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it's about how holding hands(forgiving) beats rock, paper, scissors.....I feel my spirit resist But I open up my fist Lay hand over hand over