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.
How can you ask for forgiveness?
So now you think that your crimes are victimless?
I know you and your sins
Your retributions
So how will you lay your penance down?
We all pay in time
So how will you clear your conscience when your clock unwinds?
I've heard enough of your forked tongue
How do you know when the cuts are deep enough?
I know you like your stabs
Your preemptive attacks
But how will you hold your demons down?
We're all judged in time
How can you seek redemption using alibis?
You oughta know better than to bait your jailer
You oughta know
You oughta know better
How do you deal with the consequence
Now that we bear the weight of your arrogance?
I know you and your cons
Your petty little bombs
But who will you blame your troubles on now?
We all pay in time
So how will you clear your conscience when your lies unwind?
You oughta know better than to bait your jailer
You oughta know better than to test your luck
You oughta know better than to bite who feeds ya
You oughta know, you oughta know better
How can you ask for forgiveness?
How can you think that your crimes are victimless?
I know you and your sins
Your retributions
So how will you lay your penance down?
We're all judged in time
So how will you clear your conscience when your lies unwind?
So now you think that your crimes are victimless?
I know you and your sins
Your retributions
So how will you lay your penance down?
We all pay in time
So how will you clear your conscience when your clock unwinds?
I've heard enough of your forked tongue
How do you know when the cuts are deep enough?
I know you like your stabs
Your preemptive attacks
But how will you hold your demons down?
We're all judged in time
How can you seek redemption using alibis?
You oughta know better than to bait your jailer
You oughta know
You oughta know better
How do you deal with the consequence
Now that we bear the weight of your arrogance?
I know you and your cons
Your petty little bombs
But who will you blame your troubles on now?
We all pay in time
So how will you clear your conscience when your lies unwind?
You oughta know better than to bait your jailer
You oughta know better than to test your luck
You oughta know better than to bite who feeds ya
You oughta know, you oughta know better
How can you ask for forgiveness?
How can you think that your crimes are victimless?
I know you and your sins
Your retributions
So how will you lay your penance down?
We're all judged in time
So how will you clear your conscience when your lies unwind?
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