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.
No, no, mama, now devil done do-si-do
Two young boys lyindead by the side of the road
And the coins in their eyes represent the money they owe
No judge or jury ever gonna hear the story told
Down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
Louisiana bayou
Sweet girl, daddy done beat that girl like he's insane
Brother can't watch him beat that girl down again
So late one night cookin' up with a couple of friends
Swears his daddy never gonna see another day
Down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) bring down a saint
No, no, mama, the devil done do-si-do
See two young boys lying dead by side of the road
Shame shame
Oh its a shame to lose your way running wild
Oh it's a shame to lose the light that shines (shame shame)
Oh it's a shame to lose your way as a child
Oh it's a shame to lose your
Money on the bed, but you ain't got to go
Sold your soul just tryin to get over low
No empty pocket gonna keep you from gettin yours
No judge or jury ever gonna hear the story told
Down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou)
No, no, mama, trying devil done do-si-do
Two young boys lying dead by the side of the road
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to get with the pain
See there's nowhere to go
Louisiana bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Troubles do it again
Same old sold story again (Louisiana bayou)
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the aine
Oh it's a shame to lose your way running wild (same old story again)
Oh it's a shame to lose the light that shines
Oh it's a shame to lose your way as a child
Oh (same old story again) it's a shame to lose your?
Down by the bayou
Louisiana bayou?
Louisiana bayou?
Two young boys lyindead by the side of the road
And the coins in their eyes represent the money they owe
No judge or jury ever gonna hear the story told
Down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
Louisiana bayou
Sweet girl, daddy done beat that girl like he's insane
Brother can't watch him beat that girl down again
So late one night cookin' up with a couple of friends
Swears his daddy never gonna see another day
Down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) bring down a saint
No, no, mama, the devil done do-si-do
See two young boys lying dead by side of the road
Shame shame
Oh its a shame to lose your way running wild
Oh it's a shame to lose the light that shines (shame shame)
Oh it's a shame to lose your way as a child
Oh it's a shame to lose your
Money on the bed, but you ain't got to go
Sold your soul just tryin to get over low
No empty pocket gonna keep you from gettin yours
No judge or jury ever gonna hear the story told
Down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou)
No, no, mama, trying devil done do-si-do
Two young boys lying dead by the side of the road
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to get with the pain
See there's nowhere to go
Louisiana bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Troubles do it again
Same old sold story again (Louisiana bayou)
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the caine
Trying to play with the caine
Same old story again
(Louisiana bayou) down by the bayou
Trying to play with the aine
Oh it's a shame to lose your way running wild (same old story again)
Oh it's a shame to lose the light that shines
Oh it's a shame to lose your way as a child
Oh (same old story again) it's a shame to lose your?
Down by the bayou
Louisiana bayou?
Louisiana bayou?
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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dont you think that all of DMB songs relate together? I mean that Daves context is always the same. every song..their all theologically connected. dave steps far back from its context and generalized his ideas.
Louisiana is not above all know for cocain addiction. as opposed to any other location. this is a much more generalized story as dave states..."same old story again" one could read "playing with cain" (son of adam) thats a same old story. other song on stand up...wake up. stand up. might die trying..all related in sontext. la bayou is simply speaking of losing innocence. recognizing that sinning within a context brings one to death.. what is it..its lack of mercy. a mother sees her children dead on the pathway of life. thats enevitable. all die. same old story. the devil done do-si-doed..what killed the girl..money on the bed?..envy..greed. its sin. the "soul that sins shall die"... its all theological as dave writes in every song in various symbols..youve just got to look at the song from daves viewpoint. he cant "see" it any other way. but he can "say" it in a whole bunch of ways.
pick any song. the theological thread is interwoven into it everytime.
RAPUNZEL, CRUSH, CRASH INTO ME, You lose.<br /> <br /> while Dave often, (extremely often) writes about God, Christ and theology, it is not and has never been a theme in every song he writes... If all of his songs were theological he would become one-dimensional, and Dave stands out most as being the most multi-dimensional artist in our modern time, I agree with you the theology is a very important motif in his writing, but it is not at all THE motif. Also, I hope i did not offend you, I meant no harm hahaha.
I think most people overlook the overall tone of the song as well. It's a very upbeat toon, with a blues like horn in the background. He honestly doesn't sing it like a very deep meaning song and the reasons people seem to be giving are real damn deep.
@Me2 <br /> Me2, I see what you mean, but dont think so much the thread is theological as much as spiritual. I see a lot of buddhistic ideas is Dave's lyrics. Song that Jane Likes and Water into Wine suggest reincarnation. Bayou is regrets wasting our precious opportunity through ignorance. Some songs are just for plain fun though, but always Dave seems to return to meaningful spiritual concepts.