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.
Pack up your things
Your work here is done
A slave to the beast
No mercy with time
No mercy with time
They bound you with the fire
Then push you into the sun
They want the free land to expire
They want everyone to be numb
The world's drinking from a cup
That no one wants to share
Words from the king
That no one wants to hear
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Retrench me because of machines
Kids trading roses for guns
Track marks under the sleeve
I can't talk, I need to run
Love's thrown away the ring
Not knowing what to say
Mama won't you say?
It's like you're cut by the blade
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
(Don't be running late, don't be running late)
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
(Don't be running late, don't be running late)
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
(Don't be running late, don't be running late)
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
(Don't be running late)
Don't be running late, don't be running late
Don't be running late, don't be running late
Don't be running late, don't be running late
Don't be running late
Your work here is done
A slave to the beast
No mercy with time
No mercy with time
They bound you with the fire
Then push you into the sun
They want the free land to expire
They want everyone to be numb
The world's drinking from a cup
That no one wants to share
Words from the king
That no one wants to hear
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Retrench me because of machines
Kids trading roses for guns
Track marks under the sleeve
I can't talk, I need to run
Love's thrown away the ring
Not knowing what to say
Mama won't you say?
It's like you're cut by the blade
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
(Don't be running late, don't be running late)
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
(Don't be running late, don't be running late)
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
(Don't be running late, don't be running late)
Don't be running late, are you on time today?
(Don't be running late)
Don't be running late, don't be running late
Don't be running late, don't be running late
Don't be running late, don't be running late
Don't be running late
Lyrics submitted by viginti_tres
The Beast Lyrics as written by Julia Stone Angus Stone
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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sounds sooooo super when played live.
genius in lyrical form.
but yes, firstly i thought it was about cows, hence the "branded with the fire" comment, yet i was clearly very very wrong.