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.
Lay my bones
At the feet of the ministry
I need the guilt and the company
I need the chance to be judged
And then long forgotten
Lately I just can't shake it
I count the days in seconds and minutes
Hours and hours are subtle as shards of glass
In the skin
So lay with me
I could use the company
You could help me ease
These bones
Are like maps and keys
Where they took their hits
And they felt those teeth
There's a story hidden
Underneath
If you dig in deep
Will you find relief?
For these bones
Shudder all night long
The hammer drops
Another scar
For these bones
But I know
They're only my second home
Naked and under the cover of night
It's just a matter of time 'til I'm
Counted and measured and filed
And then long forgotten
Forgive my manner of speaking
I know it's quick, but the clock is still ticking
And I've got a few words left burning holes on my tongue
I've been saving them
So lay with me
I could use the company
You could help me ease
These bones
Are like maps and keys
Where they took their hits
And they felt those teeth
There's a story hidden
Underneath
If you dig in deep
Will you find relief?
For these bones
Shudder all night long
The hammer drops
Another scar
For these bones
But I know
They're only my second home
No you won't go down alone
No you won't go down alone
No you won't go down alone
No you won't go down alone
So lay with me
I could use the company
You could help me ease
These bones
Are like maps and keys
Where they took their hits
And they felt those teeth
There's a story hidden
Underneath
If you dig in deep
Will you find relief?
These bones
Are like maps and keys
Where they took their hits
And they felt those teeth
There's a story hidden
Underneath
If you dig in deep
Will you find relief?
For these bones
'Cause I know
That you won't go down alone
At the feet of the ministry
I need the guilt and the company
I need the chance to be judged
And then long forgotten
Lately I just can't shake it
I count the days in seconds and minutes
Hours and hours are subtle as shards of glass
In the skin
So lay with me
I could use the company
You could help me ease
These bones
Are like maps and keys
Where they took their hits
And they felt those teeth
There's a story hidden
Underneath
If you dig in deep
Will you find relief?
For these bones
Shudder all night long
The hammer drops
Another scar
For these bones
But I know
They're only my second home
Naked and under the cover of night
It's just a matter of time 'til I'm
Counted and measured and filed
And then long forgotten
Forgive my manner of speaking
I know it's quick, but the clock is still ticking
And I've got a few words left burning holes on my tongue
I've been saving them
So lay with me
I could use the company
You could help me ease
These bones
Are like maps and keys
Where they took their hits
And they felt those teeth
There's a story hidden
Underneath
If you dig in deep
Will you find relief?
For these bones
Shudder all night long
The hammer drops
Another scar
For these bones
But I know
They're only my second home
No you won't go down alone
No you won't go down alone
No you won't go down alone
No you won't go down alone
So lay with me
I could use the company
You could help me ease
These bones
Are like maps and keys
Where they took their hits
And they felt those teeth
There's a story hidden
Underneath
If you dig in deep
Will you find relief?
These bones
Are like maps and keys
Where they took their hits
And they felt those teeth
There's a story hidden
Underneath
If you dig in deep
Will you find relief?
For these bones
'Cause I know
That you won't go down alone
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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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“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
I kinda think this song is about being lonley.
Like its about how someone is lonley and they use meaningless relationships to get over it. i.e. "I need the guilt and the company"
"So lay with me I can use teh company"
they won't go down alone because the other person is jsut using you too... i.e. "it's just a matter of time til I'm counted and measured and filed and then long forgotten."
"I need the chance to be judged and then long forgotten"