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.
Try and remember now just what has been done,
Enslavement, displacement of every nation.
And now to one nation
everyone hold their grudge
Kind of make me wonder which side I'm on
I don't defend the white and I don't defend the black.
I defend truth and rights and all of that.
Work on the situation where I'm at
Hold my position, never fall off track
-Chorus- X2
Nah give up my faith!
Though Babylon rage,
I and I astrive until the end of my days.
Rasta Courage
go against society
Rasta courage
I never give no good vibes
and I never give up no truth.
Never trade my sanity
for living in Babylon crew.
Vanity will never drive this man insane. This man will walk alongside Jah again. We see all the pressure to conform today,
And I may sometimes bend, but only as not to break.
Cause a life of iniquity for laziness' sake
Is a deal with the devil Rasta just can't make.
-Chorus- X2
Looking back now upon all of the evidence 400
years and what them years have really done,
we talk of peace but at the first sign of war.
Bredren ain't bredren and sistren ain't sistren no more.
Without forgiveness how will any war cease,
while the heathen rage Rastaman sitting at ease.
No one will move a muscle for some moral justice and with no justice well there will be no peace.
-Chorus- X2
Enslavement, displacement of every nation.
And now to one nation
everyone hold their grudge
Kind of make me wonder which side I'm on
I don't defend the white and I don't defend the black.
I defend truth and rights and all of that.
Work on the situation where I'm at
Hold my position, never fall off track
-Chorus- X2
Nah give up my faith!
Though Babylon rage,
I and I astrive until the end of my days.
Rasta Courage
go against society
Rasta courage
I never give no good vibes
and I never give up no truth.
Never trade my sanity
for living in Babylon crew.
Vanity will never drive this man insane. This man will walk alongside Jah again. We see all the pressure to conform today,
And I may sometimes bend, but only as not to break.
Cause a life of iniquity for laziness' sake
Is a deal with the devil Rasta just can't make.
-Chorus- X2
Looking back now upon all of the evidence 400
years and what them years have really done,
we talk of peace but at the first sign of war.
Bredren ain't bredren and sistren ain't sistren no more.
Without forgiveness how will any war cease,
while the heathen rage Rastaman sitting at ease.
No one will move a muscle for some moral justice and with no justice well there will be no peace.
-Chorus- X2
Lyrics submitted by lostthoughts588
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