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.
One missed step can make you stumble,
you set yourself up for a fall.
You punish yourself for each failure,
dogma beat out alcohol.
When all of your principles were fashioned,
you thought that your new rules made you new.
But maybe those X’s on your hands,
are what’s killing you.
chorus
The Cross of Saint Andrew,
never meant to take His place.
The Cross of Saint Andrew,
echoes of His grace.
When Saint Andrew knew the measure,
he knew the cost of sacrifice,
he left all that he knew behind him,
great things come at such great price.
But all of this never brought the answers,
obedience comes with controversy,
what changed him changes me today,
Christ has mercy.
bridge
All your sins can be forgiven,
all of this was always free.
Jesus loves without condition,
this is what freedom means to me.
Nihil ergo nunc damnationis est
his qui sunt in Christo Iesu qui non
secundum carnem ambulant.
(There is therefore now no
condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:1,2)
you set yourself up for a fall.
You punish yourself for each failure,
dogma beat out alcohol.
When all of your principles were fashioned,
you thought that your new rules made you new.
But maybe those X’s on your hands,
are what’s killing you.
chorus
The Cross of Saint Andrew,
never meant to take His place.
The Cross of Saint Andrew,
echoes of His grace.
When Saint Andrew knew the measure,
he knew the cost of sacrifice,
he left all that he knew behind him,
great things come at such great price.
But all of this never brought the answers,
obedience comes with controversy,
what changed him changes me today,
Christ has mercy.
bridge
All your sins can be forgiven,
all of this was always free.
Jesus loves without condition,
this is what freedom means to me.
Nihil ergo nunc damnationis est
his qui sunt in Christo Iesu qui non
secundum carnem ambulant.
(There is therefore now no
condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:1,2)
Lyrics submitted by mollyxbiscuit
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I think it's actually about the Protestant Revolution, and them breaking from the Catholic Church.
"You punish yourself for each failure, dogma beat out alcohol." Saying how the purists say since alcohol can be taken to excess, it shouldn't be used at all.
"When all of your principles were fashioned, you thought that your new rules made you new. But maybe those X’s on your hands, are what’s killing you." Saying that when they broke from the Church, making their own set of rules, they thought they were making a whole new truth, when really they were taking away some of the truths of the Catholic Church while retaining others that they liked.
"The Cross of Saint Andrew, never meant to take His place. The Cross of Saint Andrew, echoes of His grace.
When Saint Andrew knew the measure, he knew the cost of sacrifice, he left all that he knew behind him, great things come at such great price. But all of this never brought the answers, obedience comes with controversy, what changed him changes me today, Christ has mercy." Speaking against those Christians that say Catholics are going to Hell for "worshipping" Saints. It is saying that the whole idea of having Saints is not to worship them, but instead to have those rolemodels of holyness that will turn our eyes towards Christ. To let us know that it is possible to live holy, to live as we should, through the help of Christ.
That's my take on it... I'm not sure whether Five Iron Frenzy is Catholic or not, but there are alot of themes in their songs that have led me to suspect this. The great thing about music is that one song, and even one line of a song, can have multiple meanings. There is a depth to music that allows it to mean many different things, on many different levels. So, while it may mean something, there may also be a deeper level to it.
Thanks for listening.
Docendo dicimus. (Through teaching, we learn.)
Pax Christi vobiscum, (Peace of Christ be with you all) ~ Steven Cimprich.