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.
If Queen Boadicea is long dead and gone
Still then the spirit
In her children's children's children
It lives on
If you've lost your faith in love of music
Oh the end won't be long
Because if it's gone for you, I too may lose it
And that would be wrong
I've tried so hard to keep myself from falling
Back into my bad old ways
And it chars my heart to always hear you calling
Calling for the good old days
Because there were no good old days
These are the good old days
It's not about, tenements and needles
And all the evils in their eyes
And the backs of their minds
Daisy chains and school yard games
A list of things we said we'd do tomorrow
A list of things we said we'd do tomorrow
The Arcadian dream has all fallen through
But the Albion sails on course
Let's man the decks and hoist the rigging
The pig mans found the source
And there's twelve rude boys on the oars
See the good old days
Still then the spirit
In her children's children's children
It lives on
If you've lost your faith in love of music
Oh the end won't be long
Because if it's gone for you, I too may lose it
And that would be wrong
I've tried so hard to keep myself from falling
Back into my bad old ways
And it chars my heart to always hear you calling
Calling for the good old days
Because there were no good old days
These are the good old days
It's not about, tenements and needles
And all the evils in their eyes
And the backs of their minds
Daisy chains and school yard games
A list of things we said we'd do tomorrow
A list of things we said we'd do tomorrow
The Arcadian dream has all fallen through
But the Albion sails on course
Let's man the decks and hoist the rigging
The pig mans found the source
And there's twelve rude boys on the oars
See the good old days
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This song absolutely kills me. I've never felt so much crying after I saw the struggling silly Peter singing it on his own, and then Carlos singing it on his own. They both looked so lost, singing about the good old days that they maybe both want back. It's such a beautiful song, and means so much to me. It contains one of my favourite lines ever "if you've lost your faith in love and music, oh the end won't be long". A motto of sorts.