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.
Joseph and Mary are so bad.
Kissing in the park, kissing in the park, kissing in the park.
He practices dentistry without a license.
But its alright cause mary read the books and shes got his back.
They're saving up for a trip to France.
Gonna leave the baby with one of the inlaws.
Just long enough to see the eiffel tower and bank.
Wearing a scarf and boots on the airplane.
The Devil come to bethlehem,
with a bible and an alarm clock.
The Devil come to bethlehem,
and he ain't afraid of the dark.
Joseph and Mary are so sad.
Singing in a park in Paris, France,
reading the news, and the ... looks bad.
A pile of empty postcards on their lap.
Nothing bright to write and nothing good to send.
Devil come to bethlehem,
with a bible and an alarm clock.
The devil come to bethlehem,
and he ain't afraid of the
dark-ness is less frightening than the
light-ness is less frightening than the dark.
Joseph and Mary are so Dead.
Oh its been years, its been years, its been many, many years.
All their descendants are long buried and gone,
and their closest blood relatives works in a philadelphia Sears.
Walking on water in his own bathtub,
turning that water to wine.
Devil come to bethlehem,
with a bible and an alarm clock.
The devil come to bethlehem,
and he ain't afraid of the
dark-ness is less frightening than the
light-ness is less frightening than the
dark-ness is less frightening than the
light-ness is less frightening than the dark.
Kissing in the park, kissing in the park, kissing in the park.
He practices dentistry without a license.
But its alright cause mary read the books and shes got his back.
They're saving up for a trip to France.
Gonna leave the baby with one of the inlaws.
Just long enough to see the eiffel tower and bank.
Wearing a scarf and boots on the airplane.
The Devil come to bethlehem,
with a bible and an alarm clock.
The Devil come to bethlehem,
and he ain't afraid of the dark.
Joseph and Mary are so sad.
Singing in a park in Paris, France,
reading the news, and the ... looks bad.
A pile of empty postcards on their lap.
Nothing bright to write and nothing good to send.
Devil come to bethlehem,
with a bible and an alarm clock.
The devil come to bethlehem,
and he ain't afraid of the
dark-ness is less frightening than the
light-ness is less frightening than the dark.
Joseph and Mary are so Dead.
Oh its been years, its been years, its been many, many years.
All their descendants are long buried and gone,
and their closest blood relatives works in a philadelphia Sears.
Walking on water in his own bathtub,
turning that water to wine.
Devil come to bethlehem,
with a bible and an alarm clock.
The devil come to bethlehem,
and he ain't afraid of the
dark-ness is less frightening than the
light-ness is less frightening than the
dark-ness is less frightening than the
light-ness is less frightening than the dark.
Lyrics submitted by Tobold, edited by Mellow_Harsher
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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Comments above about this song are right on!!!
And you may be surprised to know that it is highly likely that Jesus Christ would agree with you all -
HE did not approve of the religious people of his day - the Pharisees, who were extremely judgemental, hateful, and even murderous. He spent his time for the most part with people who needed him, and NOT with people who thought of themselves as TOO GOOD TO NEED ANYONE OR ANYTHING FOR ANY REASON. (And it isn't about being a Jew, and it isn't about being a Gentile. It is about what's going on, no matter WHO you are, in your heart, and mind.)
Another good point (in the comments) is about the Devil. He KNOWS the Bible quite well. And knows how to deceive even better.
It is also true that "No one can live up to the harsh expectations of religiosity" - NO ONE, but Jesus - He did that FOR us.
This of course, does NOT mean we get to go around killing each other, stabbing each other in the back, and snubbing everyone we don't like with our noses. It DOES mean we get the PRIVELEGE of learning how to love, understand, give and let live, for-give, learn to trust, grow up, and also think about what it means to keep the best parts of childhood and joy, honesty and simplicity, inside. Not everyone DOES these things of course, but it is still a PRIVELEGE to have them to work on.
It is my firmly held belief that Regina Spektor is the Poet Laureate of the WORLD today.
And about her music, she has said that she has all these notes going on in her head all the time. And ANYONE who is a composer with ANY kind of TRUE talent can TELL that she has a deft sense of harmony, and a lucid sense of juxteposition and strata. (I'm a composer, so I know all these things.) That is to say - Regina Spektor ... is a genius, in the truest sense of the word.