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.
Old man Wrigley lived in that white house
Down the street where I grew up
My mama used to send me over with things
We struck a friendship up
I spent a few long summers
Out on his old porch swing
Said he was in the war, when in the navy
Lost his wife, lost his baby
Broke down and asked him one time
"How you keep from goin' crazy?"
He said, "I'll see my wife and son in just a little while"
Mm, I asked him what he meant, he looked at me and smiled
Said, "I raise my hands
Bow my head
I'm findin' more and more truth
In the words written in red
They tell me that there's more to life
Than just what I can see, I believe"
A few years later I was off at college
Talkin' to mom on the phone one night
Gettin' all caught up on the gossip
The ins and outs of the small town life
She said, "Oh, by the way son
Old man Wrigley's died"
Later on that night
I laid there thinkin' back
Thought about a couple long-lost summers
I didn't know whether to cry or laugh
If there was ever anybody
Deserved a ticket to the other side
It'd be that sweet old man
Who looked me in the eye
Said, "I raise my hands
Bow my head
I'm findin' more and more truth
In the words written in red
They tell me that there's more to life
Than just what I can see"
I can't quote the book
The chapter or the verse
You can't tell me it all ends
In a slow ride in a hearse
You know I'm more and more convinced
The longer that I live
Yeah, this can't be (no, this can't be), no, this can't be (no, this can't be)
No, this can't be all there is
Lord, I raise my hands
Bow my head
Oh, I'm findin' more and more truth
In the words written in red
They tell me that there's more to life
Than just what I can see (just what I can see), I believe
Oh, I (I believe)
I believe
I believe
(I believe)
I believe
(I believe)
I believe
(I believe)
I believe
(I believe)
I believe
Down the street where I grew up
My mama used to send me over with things
We struck a friendship up
I spent a few long summers
Out on his old porch swing
Said he was in the war, when in the navy
Lost his wife, lost his baby
Broke down and asked him one time
"How you keep from goin' crazy?"
He said, "I'll see my wife and son in just a little while"
Mm, I asked him what he meant, he looked at me and smiled
Said, "I raise my hands
Bow my head
I'm findin' more and more truth
In the words written in red
They tell me that there's more to life
Than just what I can see, I believe"
A few years later I was off at college
Talkin' to mom on the phone one night
Gettin' all caught up on the gossip
The ins and outs of the small town life
She said, "Oh, by the way son
Old man Wrigley's died"
Later on that night
I laid there thinkin' back
Thought about a couple long-lost summers
I didn't know whether to cry or laugh
If there was ever anybody
Deserved a ticket to the other side
It'd be that sweet old man
Who looked me in the eye
Said, "I raise my hands
Bow my head
I'm findin' more and more truth
In the words written in red
They tell me that there's more to life
Than just what I can see"
I can't quote the book
The chapter or the verse
You can't tell me it all ends
In a slow ride in a hearse
You know I'm more and more convinced
The longer that I live
Yeah, this can't be (no, this can't be), no, this can't be (no, this can't be)
No, this can't be all there is
Lord, I raise my hands
Bow my head
Oh, I'm findin' more and more truth
In the words written in red
They tell me that there's more to life
Than just what I can see (just what I can see), I believe
Oh, I (I believe)
I believe
I believe
(I believe)
I believe
(I believe)
I believe
(I believe)
I believe
(I believe)
I believe
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I think this is one of the best country songs I've ever heard. This is about a man's undying faith and the relationship he sparks with his elderly friend and how he taught him so much about life and faith.
This is a really nice deep song thats comforting to listen to
I to think its about an old man telling him what he knows of life and possibly what he wants to know what happens when you die
"I can't quote the book The chapter or the verse You can't tell me it all ends In a slow ride in a hearse"
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Beautiful song. Great video too.
This song reminds me of an old man that used to live in the house next door where I grew up. He was the nicest guy, and my whole family was friends with him. One night he had a heart attack and died, and after that, well, let's just keep it at that. This song is more meaningful if you have your own Old Man Wrigley to relate it to.
This song is my favorite Brooks & Dunn song to date. I agree with Zacster, it's especially nice if you have your own Old Man Wrigley to relate to.
I believe.
I don't think this song will ever grow old. Great writing and great vocals by Dunn.
I don't believe everyone should have to believe in God, but if i ever fight in a war and lose a wife and a child, nobody can ever tell me not to believe. This song made me realize that for many people life wouldnt be worth living without faith that theres something after..
This song reminds me of my grandpa, he was in the air force though, we always did the cool stuff he liked, listening to this song always makes me think of him and miss him