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.
A pattern sunrise, swept
Along the way a sunrise.
And under these overpasses,
A towering mountain does rise.
Don't cross the river not over there,
There'll be a mystery revealed,
And I bet you dare.
And if I am to seek this place you can see,
Who's chariot to follow so I, can be free?
At night the stars cry,
I gaze upon a lake of backyard,
And under these overpasses,
A towering mountain does lie.
Don't cross the river not over there,
There'll be a mystery revealed,
That were meant to share.
So if I am to seek this place you can see,
Who's chariot to follow so I, can be free?
Oh No, here we are again.
Oh No, here we are again.
My momma told me,
"Don't go 'cross that river,
Because you might not make it back,
The beast gonna eat your heart."
She said, "Don't go out there,
Stay upon your track.
This money has torn my family apart,
And I cannot buy it back."
So of course I built my boat,
And I was half upon my way.
When I got to the other side,
The water came rushing down,
Washed me away.
Who's Chariot? Who's Chariot? Who's Chariot?
Chariot? Who's Chariot? Whose Chariot?
Chariot? Chariot? Who's Chariot?
Chariot? Chariot?
Freedom, Freedom, Who's Chariot?
Freedom, Freedom, Who's Chariot?
Freedom, Freedom, Who's Chariot?
Who's Chariot? Take me home!
Take me home.
Oh No, said I'm out that door again,
I left my house, my money,
And my dearest friend.
I'm not going back jack.
I cross the river got a little
Bit of business that I'm doing today.
You didn't feel me,
You can't really see no good,
I made my life out a stack of wood.
I've been moving cross the river today,
But Who's Chariot?
Take me home! Take me home.
Whose chariot? Take me home.
Hallaluyah! Coming home.
Chariot, gotta, where will you take me.
Chariot will ya, will ya take me.
Chariot will ya, will ya take me.
Oh Chariot would ya pick me up, take me.
Oh Chariot, gotta, oh will you take me!
Chariot just pick me up and take me!
Oh Chariot, come and get me.
Who's Chariot? Take me home!
Take me home.
Along the way a sunrise.
And under these overpasses,
A towering mountain does rise.
Don't cross the river not over there,
There'll be a mystery revealed,
And I bet you dare.
And if I am to seek this place you can see,
Who's chariot to follow so I, can be free?
At night the stars cry,
I gaze upon a lake of backyard,
And under these overpasses,
A towering mountain does lie.
Don't cross the river not over there,
There'll be a mystery revealed,
That were meant to share.
So if I am to seek this place you can see,
Who's chariot to follow so I, can be free?
Oh No, here we are again.
Oh No, here we are again.
My momma told me,
"Don't go 'cross that river,
Because you might not make it back,
The beast gonna eat your heart."
She said, "Don't go out there,
Stay upon your track.
This money has torn my family apart,
And I cannot buy it back."
So of course I built my boat,
And I was half upon my way.
When I got to the other side,
The water came rushing down,
Washed me away.
Who's Chariot? Who's Chariot? Who's Chariot?
Chariot? Who's Chariot? Whose Chariot?
Chariot? Chariot? Who's Chariot?
Chariot? Chariot?
Freedom, Freedom, Who's Chariot?
Freedom, Freedom, Who's Chariot?
Freedom, Freedom, Who's Chariot?
Who's Chariot? Take me home!
Take me home.
Oh No, said I'm out that door again,
I left my house, my money,
And my dearest friend.
I'm not going back jack.
I cross the river got a little
Bit of business that I'm doing today.
You didn't feel me,
You can't really see no good,
I made my life out a stack of wood.
I've been moving cross the river today,
But Who's Chariot?
Take me home! Take me home.
Whose chariot? Take me home.
Hallaluyah! Coming home.
Chariot, gotta, where will you take me.
Chariot will ya, will ya take me.
Chariot will ya, will ya take me.
Oh Chariot would ya pick me up, take me.
Oh Chariot, gotta, oh will you take me!
Chariot just pick me up and take me!
Oh Chariot, come and get me.
Who's Chariot? Take me home!
Take me home.
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Punchline
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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
this song is actually about making the character in the song making a decision. the decision is between taking his life to bigger and better things and getting the money, but at the same time knowing that it might eventually corrupt and ruin him. the other decision is to just to live the way he's been living and enjoy his life the way it is, knowing that he will be happy with how his life as turned out. great song