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.
Been meetin' in the back room
Been gatherin' in the parking lot
Been talkin' in the break room
Of what we are doing with what we've got
Been meetin' on the front lawn
Been gatherin' in the parking lot
Been talkin' in the break room
Of labor and unrest and eyeing the clock
Are you okay with what you've got?
We're throwin' down our push brooms
We're hangin' up our apron ties
We're comin' from the back roads
Out of the fields and the factory lines
We're throwin' down our push brooms
We're hangin' up our apron ties
We're comin' from the back roads
Out of the fields and the factory lines
Tell your brother and your sister
Tell your auntie and your uncle too
Tell your mother and your father
Your friends and your cousins, "We need you"
Strike!
Strike!
We're throwin' down our push brooms
We're hangin' up our apron ties
We walked so far
But we can walk all night
We're marchin' from the shipyards
We're marchin' from the hospitals
We'll take you to the town hall
We'll take you to the capital
Tell your brother and your sister
Tell your auntie and your uncle too
Tell your mother and your father
Your friends and your cousins, "We need you"
Strike!
Strike!
We're throwin' down our push brooms
We're hangin' up our apron ties
We walked so far
But we can walk all night
We're comin' from the back roads
Out of the fields and the factory lines
Been gatherin' in the parking lot
Been talkin' in the break room
Of what we are doing with what we've got
Been meetin' on the front lawn
Been gatherin' in the parking lot
Been talkin' in the break room
Of labor and unrest and eyeing the clock
Are you okay with what you've got?
We're throwin' down our push brooms
We're hangin' up our apron ties
We're comin' from the back roads
Out of the fields and the factory lines
We're throwin' down our push brooms
We're hangin' up our apron ties
We're comin' from the back roads
Out of the fields and the factory lines
Tell your brother and your sister
Tell your auntie and your uncle too
Tell your mother and your father
Your friends and your cousins, "We need you"
Strike!
Strike!
We're throwin' down our push brooms
We're hangin' up our apron ties
We walked so far
But we can walk all night
We're marchin' from the shipyards
We're marchin' from the hospitals
We'll take you to the town hall
We'll take you to the capital
Tell your brother and your sister
Tell your auntie and your uncle too
Tell your mother and your father
Your friends and your cousins, "We need you"
Strike!
Strike!
We're throwin' down our push brooms
We're hangin' up our apron ties
We walked so far
But we can walk all night
We're comin' from the back roads
Out of the fields and the factory lines
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this song is so good