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.
To hold a pen is to be at war
A calculated science of destruction
Consensual disarmament, dismembered
A campaign for the Armageddon
Bombs to Baghdad, Bayji, and Fallujah
Consensual dismemberment, disarmed
A call to arms in the key of rapture echoing through time
Young men coal hardened faces testing their resolve
They were taught discipline to see the battle through
From deep mines to the front lines
Centurions must sacrifice their lives
The dogs of war are pining for the corpses
Of soldiers marching ever forward
Consensual disarmament, dismembered
Dues will be paid and graves will be dug
For your sons and your daughters
My cousin now martyred
Consensual dismemberment, disarmed
A call to arms in the key of rapture echoing through time
Young men coal hardened faces testing their resolve
They were taught discipline to see the battle through
From deep mines to the front lines
Centurions must sacrifice their lives
I'll crawl through the rubble
And scream to the heavens
Our mantra until we die
Montani Semper Liberi
Montani Semper Fi
A calculated science of destruction
Consensual disarmament, dismembered
A campaign for the Armageddon
Bombs to Baghdad, Bayji, and Fallujah
Consensual dismemberment, disarmed
A call to arms in the key of rapture echoing through time
Young men coal hardened faces testing their resolve
They were taught discipline to see the battle through
From deep mines to the front lines
Centurions must sacrifice their lives
The dogs of war are pining for the corpses
Of soldiers marching ever forward
Consensual disarmament, dismembered
Dues will be paid and graves will be dug
For your sons and your daughters
My cousin now martyred
Consensual dismemberment, disarmed
A call to arms in the key of rapture echoing through time
Young men coal hardened faces testing their resolve
They were taught discipline to see the battle through
From deep mines to the front lines
Centurions must sacrifice their lives
I'll crawl through the rubble
And scream to the heavens
Our mantra until we die
Montani Semper Liberi
Montani Semper Fi
Lyrics submitted by nufy8
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Lyrically one of my favs. This song is about a few different things mixed into one. It covers the concept of hard nosed men from WV going from their lives of Coal Mining into even harder lives to serve the military. In the 2nd verse is the line "My Cousin Now Martyred" is a direct quote talking about my 1st cousin, who happened to be only 9 months younger than me, being killed in the Iraq war by an IED. The last 2 lines are in Latin and reads as follows... Mountaineers are always free, Mountaineers are always prepared.