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.
They say you were born in St. Claire's hospital
I say you were born up in the sky
You come floatin' down over New Orleans
To the sweet green levee on the river side
And your voice chirped like old squeaky shoes
And momma always said we had nothing to lose
And so we danced on the street corner
[Chorus:]
Oh Caroline
(Round) Caroline
Heartbroken hard times, they never got us down
Walkin' the same line through every single southern town
Hand in hand your arm 'round mine
Oh Caroline
Oh Caroline
(Round) Caroline
I seen it all change and watch it change some more
Seen hard times standin' right outside your door
Tell me gal what's on your mind
Oh Caroline
We were the Cardinals' biggest fans
Turnin' flips like Ozzy Smith all through the night
'Til we got traded away
To the Red Clay Southern League up on the Georgia line
You be the pitcher and the catcher too
I'm the home run king before his muscles grew
Gonna knock the cover off this time
[Chorus:]
Oh Caroline
(Round) Caroline
I seen it all change and watch it change some more
Seen hard times standin' right outside your door
Tell me gal what's on your mind
Oh Caroline
These are different days
And the pace of the world has us thinking there's no time
To turn the other way
Take my hand and we'll walk on down the line
Though we may be a thousand miles apart
A brother and a sister have a single heart
And the beat don?t stop for nothin'
[Chorus:]
Oh Caroline
(Round) Caroline
I seen it all change and watch it change some more
Seen hard times standin' right outside your door
Tell me gal what's on your mind
Oh Caroline
Oh Caroline
Oh Caroline
Oh Caroline
Oh Caroline
Oh Caroline
I say you were born up in the sky
You come floatin' down over New Orleans
To the sweet green levee on the river side
And your voice chirped like old squeaky shoes
And momma always said we had nothing to lose
And so we danced on the street corner
[Chorus:]
Oh Caroline
(Round) Caroline
Heartbroken hard times, they never got us down
Walkin' the same line through every single southern town
Hand in hand your arm 'round mine
Oh Caroline
Oh Caroline
(Round) Caroline
I seen it all change and watch it change some more
Seen hard times standin' right outside your door
Tell me gal what's on your mind
Oh Caroline
We were the Cardinals' biggest fans
Turnin' flips like Ozzy Smith all through the night
'Til we got traded away
To the Red Clay Southern League up on the Georgia line
You be the pitcher and the catcher too
I'm the home run king before his muscles grew
Gonna knock the cover off this time
[Chorus:]
Oh Caroline
(Round) Caroline
I seen it all change and watch it change some more
Seen hard times standin' right outside your door
Tell me gal what's on your mind
Oh Caroline
These are different days
And the pace of the world has us thinking there's no time
To turn the other way
Take my hand and we'll walk on down the line
Though we may be a thousand miles apart
A brother and a sister have a single heart
And the beat don?t stop for nothin'
[Chorus:]
Oh Caroline
(Round) Caroline
I seen it all change and watch it change some more
Seen hard times standin' right outside your door
Tell me gal what's on your mind
Oh Caroline
Oh Caroline
Oh Caroline
Oh Caroline
Oh Caroline
Oh Caroline
Lyrics submitted by ftffyrdmns
Caroline Lyrics as written by Ketch Secor
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing, DO WRITE MUSIC LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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We were the gas house gang I'll be Ozzie Smith, you'll be Sarah my wife Til' we got traded away To the Red Clay league somewhere along the Georgia line You be the pitcher and the catcher too I'm the home run king 'fore his muscles grew Gonna knock the cover off this time.
Oh Caroline (Round) Caroline Oh Caroline (Round) Caroline Oh Caroline (Round) Caroline (can't remember how many times this repeats...)