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.
Back in 1940
My Grandfather died
Fightin� in a spitfire
Over at Kent countryside
Since then my country never really got back off its knees
Uncle Joe put paid to that and I was born late seventies
I heard that over in England men were gettin' paid
More than I earn in a week, working just one day
I thought, �What the Hell? I'll go give it my best shot.�
Yeah, it's gotta be better than nothin'
And that's exactly what I've got
I caught a train and I headed west to sail across the sea
Pretty soon I had a job workin' in a factory
Well, the work was hard
It was hot as Hell
My fingers bleed and my blisters swelled
Long, long hours back racked with pain
Just me and Serge from Ukraine
When I� When I got my first paycheck
It was minus food and board
�Not much left for me.� I thought
So this is my reward
So when my first night off in ten
I wandered into town
Yeah, I just wanted to have some fun
And have a look around
I met a girl oh, oh, oh
She had blond hair and curls oh, oh, oh
We got along�
I sung her a Polish love song
We were kissin' in the car park
When I heard someone come up behind me
Suddenly I'm surrounded by a group of men who what to hurt me
They said "You're not welcome in our country.
We're sick of givin' to all and sundry
I don't work to try and rob
I said, 'Mr. you wouldn't want my job.'
And then I'm down on the floor
Their boots connecting with my jaw
Round, round, round my head is spinning
I don't think I can take much more
My girl is screamin'
I think I'm going to be killed
Just like my grandfather
My Polish blood
On England soil is spilt
Just like my grandfather
My Polish blood
On England soil is spilt
My Grandfather died
Fightin� in a spitfire
Over at Kent countryside
Since then my country never really got back off its knees
Uncle Joe put paid to that and I was born late seventies
I heard that over in England men were gettin' paid
More than I earn in a week, working just one day
I thought, �What the Hell? I'll go give it my best shot.�
Yeah, it's gotta be better than nothin'
And that's exactly what I've got
I caught a train and I headed west to sail across the sea
Pretty soon I had a job workin' in a factory
Well, the work was hard
It was hot as Hell
My fingers bleed and my blisters swelled
Long, long hours back racked with pain
Just me and Serge from Ukraine
When I� When I got my first paycheck
It was minus food and board
�Not much left for me.� I thought
So this is my reward
So when my first night off in ten
I wandered into town
Yeah, I just wanted to have some fun
And have a look around
I met a girl oh, oh, oh
She had blond hair and curls oh, oh, oh
We got along�
I sung her a Polish love song
We were kissin' in the car park
When I heard someone come up behind me
Suddenly I'm surrounded by a group of men who what to hurt me
They said "You're not welcome in our country.
We're sick of givin' to all and sundry
I don't work to try and rob
I said, 'Mr. you wouldn't want my job.'
And then I'm down on the floor
Their boots connecting with my jaw
Round, round, round my head is spinning
I don't think I can take much more
My girl is screamin'
I think I'm going to be killed
Just like my grandfather
My Polish blood
On England soil is spilt
Just like my grandfather
My Polish blood
On England soil is spilt
Lyrics submitted by cathycat790
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Very good lyrics. Very good story. Well done Hard - fi