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.
I walk like you guide me, my eyes
Are shut like I'm blind
Turn to you and listening and tryin'
To be in your mind
There's a feeling that I get
When I look to the west
'Bout having all the answers
Still failing the test
Wolf packs and convoys and
Captains and men
Surprised in translation
World without end
Welcome back to real life
The picture is gone
Put a contract out on things that go on and on
How do you stay where
You most want to be?
Where'd you get the patience
Did it come easily?
ahhhhhh
On whose authority
I have none over me
On whose authority
There's none that I can see
On whose authority
I have none over me
On whose authority
No one speaks to me
On whose authority
I have none over me ...
ahhhhhhh
All the tales with paper heroes
The ones who dyed the sun
And called it yellow
The ones who made you run
On whose authority
I have none over me
On whose authority
There's none that I can see
On whose authority
I have none over me
On whose authority
None that' speaks to me
On whose authority
I have none over me ...
ahhhhhhh
Are shut like I'm blind
Turn to you and listening and tryin'
To be in your mind
There's a feeling that I get
When I look to the west
'Bout having all the answers
Still failing the test
Wolf packs and convoys and
Captains and men
Surprised in translation
World without end
Welcome back to real life
The picture is gone
Put a contract out on things that go on and on
How do you stay where
You most want to be?
Where'd you get the patience
Did it come easily?
ahhhhhh
On whose authority
I have none over me
On whose authority
There's none that I can see
On whose authority
I have none over me
On whose authority
No one speaks to me
On whose authority
I have none over me ...
ahhhhhhh
All the tales with paper heroes
The ones who dyed the sun
And called it yellow
The ones who made you run
On whose authority
I have none over me
On whose authority
There's none that I can see
On whose authority
I have none over me
On whose authority
None that' speaks to me
On whose authority
I have none over me ...
ahhhhhhh
Lyrics submitted by thesweetcatastrophe
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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 think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Great song and lyrical flow. "wolf packs and convoys and Captains and men, surprised with translation, world without end" just has a great meter to it.
Song seems to be a question of what authority is in the first place, perhaps a "do what thou wilt" sort of musing?
"World without end" could arguably be a shout out to Mercyful Fate and King Diamond who quoted that cliché as the final line of the Devil Worshipping song "The Oath."