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.
He sat in a room in a square the color of blood.
He’d rule the whole world if there was a way that he could.
He’d sit and he’d stare at the minarets on top of the towers
For he was the Beast as he hatched his new plan to gain power.
And the snow fell, covering the Dreams and Ideals.
And the snow fell, freezing the Blood and the wheels.
And the snow fell, they had to keep warm for survival.
And the snow fell, and defeated the Beast’s only rivals.
They took the old roads that Napoleon had taken before.
They fought as the forces of Light against the Darkness in a Holy War.
One day they were looking out on the sun shining on the cornflowers.
The next day they were freezing to death in the snow and the ice cold showers.
Then came the deadly roads back in the steps of their retreat.
The cold racked their bodies, but worse was the pain of defeat.
Many people who had hailed them once now turned and walked away
For these people now knew that the Beast was on his way.
You finally came back to the borders of our Fatherland.
Now enemies came, traitors everywhere at hand.
Many people who had fought and died knowing that they had to win.
And still it sickens my heart to see a picture of the red flag in Berlin.
He’d rule the whole world if there was a way that he could.
He’d sit and he’d stare at the minarets on top of the towers
For he was the Beast as he hatched his new plan to gain power.
And the snow fell, covering the Dreams and Ideals.
And the snow fell, freezing the Blood and the wheels.
And the snow fell, they had to keep warm for survival.
And the snow fell, and defeated the Beast’s only rivals.
They took the old roads that Napoleon had taken before.
They fought as the forces of Light against the Darkness in a Holy War.
One day they were looking out on the sun shining on the cornflowers.
The next day they were freezing to death in the snow and the ice cold showers.
Then came the deadly roads back in the steps of their retreat.
The cold racked their bodies, but worse was the pain of defeat.
Many people who had hailed them once now turned and walked away
For these people now knew that the Beast was on his way.
You finally came back to the borders of our Fatherland.
Now enemies came, traitors everywhere at hand.
Many people who had fought and died knowing that they had to win.
And still it sickens my heart to see a picture of the red flag in Berlin.
Lyrics submitted by Firelight
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