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 pledge allegiance to our countrymen
Our country it is safe again
As we safely go to bed at night
In our warm nests
I sing my song
I have been this place before
As I spoke unto the children
My hands they seem to tremble
The closer I get
I'm a very stupid man
And I'll lead them to the slaughter
Save the son and daughter
Of our failing every-man
Our love is a lovely geas
But the price it is uncertain
And the way it is so dangerous
To those of little pride
And I wash my hands clean
In the waters of optimism
Contaminating pearls with eagles sacrifice, my friends
Eagles sacrifice
Eagles sacrifice, my fiends
Eagles sacrifice
Sleep sweet countrymen
Till we need you again
We will raise our arms
Against the face of horror
And I will fight and feed
Oh, in the name of need
Get on your battered knees
And please don't make a sound
The soldiers are asleep
In our holy land of questions
The most important lesson
They get out of life
And I call out to the parson
He waves his hands against me
My countrymen like Christians
With the lions around
And I call out to the general
In his most vital position
As the king of isolation
In this land of suicides
And I call out to the maidens
Who wear the pelts of jackals
And little less but shackles
Fill our lust-filled appetites, my friends
Our lust-filled appetites
Our lust-filled appetites, my friends
Our lust-filled appetites
This, sweet countrymen
Is where our paths will end
Your duty's fair and just
My duty's what I must
Fondly I think of you
In what I have to do
I'll burn the chapel house
And make attempts at truce
And at 11:59
I'll hoist your flag and make it mine
Against the wall, it's closing time
I'll send your wounded down the line
And I will count the ways
Oh each and every day:
Nine
Eight
Seven
Six
Five
Four
Three
Two
One
So please,
Rise for the very honored judge
The jury has yet to appear
We'll make this gallowpole your home
We'll make our motives very clear
(round over previous verse, repeating)
I will fall into the depths of hell
Before I sail this ship a port
Forget about the house of God
And blow away this house of cards
(round over previous verses, repeating)
As the saints go marching in
I know I was born into sin
And if I die before I wake
I beg you all my sin to take
Oh my countrymen
Sleep sweet countrymen
Oh my countrymen
Sleep sweet countrymen
Oh my countrymen
Sleep sweet countrymen
Oh my countrymen
Sleep sweet country-
Sleep sweet countrymen
Our country it is safe again
As we safely go to bed at night
In our warm nests
I sing my song
I have been this place before
As I spoke unto the children
My hands they seem to tremble
The closer I get
I'm a very stupid man
And I'll lead them to the slaughter
Save the son and daughter
Of our failing every-man
Our love is a lovely geas
But the price it is uncertain
And the way it is so dangerous
To those of little pride
And I wash my hands clean
In the waters of optimism
Contaminating pearls with eagles sacrifice, my friends
Eagles sacrifice
Eagles sacrifice, my fiends
Eagles sacrifice
Sleep sweet countrymen
Till we need you again
We will raise our arms
Against the face of horror
And I will fight and feed
Oh, in the name of need
Get on your battered knees
And please don't make a sound
The soldiers are asleep
In our holy land of questions
The most important lesson
They get out of life
And I call out to the parson
He waves his hands against me
My countrymen like Christians
With the lions around
And I call out to the general
In his most vital position
As the king of isolation
In this land of suicides
And I call out to the maidens
Who wear the pelts of jackals
And little less but shackles
Fill our lust-filled appetites, my friends
Our lust-filled appetites
Our lust-filled appetites, my friends
Our lust-filled appetites
This, sweet countrymen
Is where our paths will end
Your duty's fair and just
My duty's what I must
Fondly I think of you
In what I have to do
I'll burn the chapel house
And make attempts at truce
And at 11:59
I'll hoist your flag and make it mine
Against the wall, it's closing time
I'll send your wounded down the line
And I will count the ways
Oh each and every day:
Nine
Eight
Seven
Six
Five
Four
Three
Two
One
So please,
Rise for the very honored judge
The jury has yet to appear
We'll make this gallowpole your home
We'll make our motives very clear
(round over previous verse, repeating)
I will fall into the depths of hell
Before I sail this ship a port
Forget about the house of God
And blow away this house of cards
(round over previous verses, repeating)
As the saints go marching in
I know I was born into sin
And if I die before I wake
I beg you all my sin to take
Oh my countrymen
Sleep sweet countrymen
Oh my countrymen
Sleep sweet countrymen
Oh my countrymen
Sleep sweet countrymen
Oh my countrymen
Sleep sweet country-
Sleep sweet countrymen
Lyrics submitted by mnerosav, edited by CazzySands
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