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.
There was a light blue as a welder's torch
It used to shine over the fields
And all the wise men strong men were drawn for miles
Followed a star to Bethlehem Steel
Our mother's father worked here in World War Two
On the main floor operating the drill
And in his open palms little splinters remind him of
The booming days days of Bethlehem Steel
But the steeples on the hills they point
To a better life beyond this one
And that promise penetrates the clouds
And mighty walls of brick red cinnamon
Ah ah
Take a walk past Lazarus Moving n' Storage
Behind the Goodman's Furniture Store
See the smoke stacks rise on up to heaven's step
While on earth we're burnin' this miracle iron ore
But the steeples on the hills they point
To a better life beyond this one
And that promise penetrates the clouds
Even when they block the fiery sun
The sun
There was a light blue as a welder's torch
It used to shine over the fields
And all the wise men strong men were drawn for miles
Followed a star to Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
Yeah Steel
Yeah Steel
Bethlehem Steel
Ah Steel
Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
Yeah Steel
Steel
Yeah Steel
It used to shine over the fields
And all the wise men strong men were drawn for miles
Followed a star to Bethlehem Steel
Our mother's father worked here in World War Two
On the main floor operating the drill
And in his open palms little splinters remind him of
The booming days days of Bethlehem Steel
But the steeples on the hills they point
To a better life beyond this one
And that promise penetrates the clouds
And mighty walls of brick red cinnamon
Ah ah
Take a walk past Lazarus Moving n' Storage
Behind the Goodman's Furniture Store
See the smoke stacks rise on up to heaven's step
While on earth we're burnin' this miracle iron ore
But the steeples on the hills they point
To a better life beyond this one
And that promise penetrates the clouds
Even when they block the fiery sun
The sun
There was a light blue as a welder's torch
It used to shine over the fields
And all the wise men strong men were drawn for miles
Followed a star to Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
Yeah Steel
Yeah Steel
Bethlehem Steel
Ah Steel
Bethlehem Steel
Bethlehem Steel
Yeah Steel
Steel
Yeah Steel
Lyrics submitted by Mopnugget
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Seems about remembering the glory of the steel industry and the Bethlehem Steel company. People put their lives into the business and it all went away leaving people's lives empty.