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.
For 20 years I've held this pulpit.
Preached the word, served the Eucharist,
Gained the trust of the townsfolk.
Made every football game, never missed a social.
Last week, a boy I taught theology
Came back in town with a new ideology,
And now those feelings-- I tucked away
Threaten this sanctuary.
A lifetime of burning culminated in one innocent, forbidden touch.
I know this is wrong because I'm told this is wrong.
A new recruit, twenty-five years old.
He joined the habit with a chip on his shoulder.
Some nights he'd proclaim his preference
But only flat back drunk on a bottle of Jameson.
One of those nights we stayed up, the two of us.
Singing our lives, just the two of us.
We were hiding in the dark,
I fell asleep by his side.
We woke to the chimes of the bells in the steeple and ran off to separate rooms.
They can't know what we've done,
Or our whole world would come undone.
You'll never live this down,
You'll never live this down,
You'll never live this down,
(They're gonna find you out!),
You'll never live this down,
(And when they find you out!),
You'll never live this down,
(They're gonna drag you out! Don't let them find you!).
I know this is wrong, because we're told this is wrong.
Preached the word, served the Eucharist,
Gained the trust of the townsfolk.
Made every football game, never missed a social.
Last week, a boy I taught theology
Came back in town with a new ideology,
And now those feelings-- I tucked away
Threaten this sanctuary.
A lifetime of burning culminated in one innocent, forbidden touch.
I know this is wrong because I'm told this is wrong.
A new recruit, twenty-five years old.
He joined the habit with a chip on his shoulder.
Some nights he'd proclaim his preference
But only flat back drunk on a bottle of Jameson.
One of those nights we stayed up, the two of us.
Singing our lives, just the two of us.
We were hiding in the dark,
I fell asleep by his side.
We woke to the chimes of the bells in the steeple and ran off to separate rooms.
They can't know what we've done,
Or our whole world would come undone.
You'll never live this down,
You'll never live this down,
You'll never live this down,
(They're gonna find you out!),
You'll never live this down,
(And when they find you out!),
You'll never live this down,
(They're gonna drag you out! Don't let them find you!).
I know this is wrong, because we're told this is wrong.
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
this is how i hear it... only slight changes, makes a bit more sense though.
For 20 years I’ve held this pulpit Preached the word, served the Eucharist Gained the trust of the townsfolk Made every football game Never missed a social Last week a boy I taught theology Came back into town with a new ideology Those feelings I tucked away Threading the sanctuary A lifetime of burning culminated In one innocent forbidden touch I know this is wrong, cause I’m told this is wrong A new recruit, 25 years old He joined the habit with a chip on his shoulder Some nights he’d proclaim his preference But only flat back drunk on a bottle of Jameson When all those nights, we stayed up, the two of us Singing our lives, just the two of us We were hiding in the dark, I fell asleep by his side We woke to the chimes and the bells of the steeple and ran of to supper at once They cant know what we’ve done, our whole world would come undone You’ll never live this down (repeated) They’re gonna find you out And when they find you out They’re gonna drag you out Don’t let them find you I know this is wrong, cause we’re told this is wrong A lifetime of burning culminate anymore In one innocent forbidden touch I know this is wrong, cause we’re told this is wrong