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.
Here he come again
Dress in all that skin
Like he was still human being
Look at he long ears
And he big brown eyes
And with them truth he is seeing
Isn't it a shame you kicked that girl
Isn't it a shame she kicked you back, jackass
She really shake you donkey up
She really make you donkey up
She really shake you donkey up, quite a packet
How she carry you
Over thick and thin ice
You still dug you spurs in
Now you forced to walk
Laden down with shame
It's not just you back that's hurting
Now children saddle him for riding
Pick a fight with love and she will
Tan your hide in
She really shake you donkey up
She really shake you donkey up
Shake you donkey!
Dress in all that skin
Like he was still human being
Look at he long ears
And he big brown eyes
And with them truth he is seeing
Isn't it a shame you kicked that girl
Isn't it a shame she kicked you back, jackass
She really shake you donkey up
She really make you donkey up
She really shake you donkey up, quite a packet
How she carry you
Over thick and thin ice
You still dug you spurs in
Now you forced to walk
Laden down with shame
It's not just you back that's hurting
Now children saddle him for riding
Pick a fight with love and she will
Tan your hide in
She really shake you donkey up
She really shake you donkey up
Shake you donkey!
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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it's sort of interesting. The language has a sort of Jamaican patois thing to it, while the music is clearly hilbilly inspired.