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.
And we wait (we wait) for the fog to roll in
Take a deep breath before we’re back on the road again
I killed the forest with just one match.
Killed the forest with just one match
You could see the dark
smoke clouds
as the ash rained down,
With no regard for the life that was lost, with no regard
Dear john will you come with me
Dear john will you come with me
Dear john will you come with me
Dear john will you come with me
Follow
me
to paradise
Look over your shoulder, you stole her. Its over
To start we’ll lop off your head
We’ll give you six feet of blankets for a goodnight sleep
(Say a prayer for the dead and buried)
We’ll give you six feet
Say a prayer for the dead and buried
You’ll be joining them real soon
Say a prayer for the dead and buried
You’ll be joining them real soon
The easy way or the hard way.
You never learned your lesson
The easy way or the hard way.
You never learned your lesson
Take a deep breath before we’re back on the road again
I killed the forest with just one match.
Killed the forest with just one match
You could see the dark
smoke clouds
as the ash rained down,
With no regard for the life that was lost, with no regard
Dear john will you come with me
Dear john will you come with me
Dear john will you come with me
Dear john will you come with me
Follow
me
to paradise
Look over your shoulder, you stole her. Its over
To start we’ll lop off your head
We’ll give you six feet of blankets for a goodnight sleep
(Say a prayer for the dead and buried)
We’ll give you six feet
Say a prayer for the dead and buried
You’ll be joining them real soon
Say a prayer for the dead and buried
You’ll be joining them real soon
The easy way or the hard way.
You never learned your lesson
The easy way or the hard way.
You never learned your lesson
Lyrics submitted by TheMarchOfFlames
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Great version of a great song,
I think people are over analyzing this song. It's about starting a forest fire, and having "no regard for the life that was lost". I think it doesn't go any deeper than that.