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.
Time it was I had a dream, and you're the dream come true.
If I had the world to give, I'd give it all to you.
I'll take you to the mountains, I will take you to the sea.
I'll show you how this life became a miracle to me.
You'll fly away, but take my hand until that day.
So when they ask how far love goes,
When my job's done you'll be the one who knows.
All the things you treasure most will be the hardest won.
I will watch you struggle long before the answers come.
But I won't make it harder, I'll be there to cheer you on,
I'll shine the light that guides you down the road you're walking on.
You'll fly away, but take my hand until that day. So when they ask how far love goes,
When my job's done you'll be the one who knows.
Before the mountains call to you, before you leave this home,
I want to teach your heart to trust, as I will teach my own,
But sometimes I will ask the moon where it shined upon you last,
And shake my head and laugh and say it all went by too fast.
You'll fly away, but take my hand until that day. So when they ask how far love goes,
When my job's done you'll be the one who knows.
If I had the world to give, I'd give it all to you.
I'll take you to the mountains, I will take you to the sea.
I'll show you how this life became a miracle to me.
You'll fly away, but take my hand until that day.
So when they ask how far love goes,
When my job's done you'll be the one who knows.
All the things you treasure most will be the hardest won.
I will watch you struggle long before the answers come.
But I won't make it harder, I'll be there to cheer you on,
I'll shine the light that guides you down the road you're walking on.
You'll fly away, but take my hand until that day. So when they ask how far love goes,
When my job's done you'll be the one who knows.
Before the mountains call to you, before you leave this home,
I want to teach your heart to trust, as I will teach my own,
But sometimes I will ask the moon where it shined upon you last,
And shake my head and laugh and say it all went by too fast.
You'll fly away, but take my hand until that day. So when they ask how far love goes,
When my job's done you'll be the one who knows.
Lyrics submitted by VampedVixen
The One Who Knows Lyrics as written by Dar Williams
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Dar Williams said in a 1/28/07 concert, that the song was written to honor the relationships she had with all of the women that had opened themselves to "the fundamental laws of childhood" in raising her -- her mother, grandmother, teachers, aunts, neighbors, etc.
She then made everyone laugh by adding: "Of course, that's before I actually became a mother. There are (pauses to think) moments like that. I try to remind myself of them. Sometimes I even sing the song."
She then told a tale of her little boy "acting insane" in a restaurant. She worried that if she "was too harsh he'd become a sociopath" but thanks to the backlash against permissive parenting, if she "wasn't firm enough, he'd also become a sociopath"... On top of it, some fans had noticed her, so she was also fretting that they'd "run back saying 'that Dar Williams SEEMS really nice, but I saw her and she's really bada**'!"