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.
Kiss me goodnight and say my prayers
Leave the light on at the top of the stairs
Tell me the names of the stars up in the sky
A tree taps on the window pane
That feeling smothers me again
Daddy, is it true that we all have to die?
At the top of the stairs
Is darkness
At the top of the stairs
Is darkness
I closed my eyes and when I looked
Your name was in the memorial book
And what had become of all the things we planned?
I accept the commiserations
Of all your friends and your relations
But there's some things I still don't understand
You were so tall
How could you fall?
Some photographs of a summer's day
A little boy's lifetime away
Is all I've left of everything we've done
Like a pale moon in a sunny sky
Death gazes down as I pass by
To remind me that I'm but my father's son
I offer up to you
This tribute
I offer up to you
This tank park salute
Leave the light on at the top of the stairs
Tell me the names of the stars up in the sky
A tree taps on the window pane
That feeling smothers me again
Daddy, is it true that we all have to die?
At the top of the stairs
Is darkness
At the top of the stairs
Is darkness
I closed my eyes and when I looked
Your name was in the memorial book
And what had become of all the things we planned?
I accept the commiserations
Of all your friends and your relations
But there's some things I still don't understand
You were so tall
How could you fall?
Some photographs of a summer's day
A little boy's lifetime away
Is all I've left of everything we've done
Like a pale moon in a sunny sky
Death gazes down as I pass by
To remind me that I'm but my father's son
I offer up to you
This tribute
I offer up to you
This tank park salute
Lyrics submitted by SquidOmelet
Tank Park Salute Lyrics as written by Stephen William Bragg
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I've loved this song since I first heard it 20+ years ago. Now that I'm the father of a 7 year-old, it's even more poignant. I always imagine the now-grown Billy looking at childhood photos of he and his dad taken at a war memorial. Perhaps in one of the photos, he and dad were giving each other silly salutes, goofing off the way kids and dads do. And I'd imagine, since photos weren't nearly as common back then as now, that they are among the most cherished memories of the dad he lost too soon.
Why the hell would anybody flag this? I really don't understand people. <br /> <br /> I've loved this song since the day Don't Try This At Home came out, too, meahern.
"You were so tall How could you fall?"
Brings a lump to my throat every time I listen to it.
Billy is a true lyrical legend and is totally engaging when he speaks, I love him!
Yeah, me too.
The Tank Park is the Bovington Tank Museum near Wareham in Dorset, UK, and I believe the title of the song refers to a visit Billy and his dad made there. It is a moving song, especially if you have lost your dad, and moves me to tears, But of course, Mr Bragg is near genius in touching home truths. KC
Spose this song is about a kid having that horrible realisation of ones own mortality and then experiencing the death we have without dying which is the death of our mum or dad. I only came here to work out what Tank Park Salute meant, but if it is something personal between Billy and his dad then that just makes the song more beautiful.
Hands down my favourite song by Billy Bragg. What does the title Tank Park Salute refer to though?
Did Billy Bragg's father die in the war possibly?
This song is actually a reference to his father dying. You'd need a copy of Billy's Back to Basics to understand the tank park salute!
"Did Billy Bragg's father die in the war possibly?"
Hehe...strewth...the bard ain't that old.
Bragg's father died of lung cancer when he was 18. Wikipedia said it so it must be true :p
No point debating what it's about. I think we've found the most beautiful song ever written.