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.
Child of burning time
Child of burning time
My only consolation is all lies
The apex of my consequence is dying here tonight
Winter hasn't ended and it always looks like rain
I can't remember anything, anything
Inside the absolution we succumb
And appetites are bittersweet I think I'm going numb
A chance to give up Avarice has marked my one regret
The child of burning time has gone, he hasn't come back
Before I tell my story, please consider who I am
I missed my window years ago, I'm doing all I can
A tragedy is commonplace but in the end they go away
My skin is still the only stain I'm left to wear in shame
I'll cut my name into my heart
I'll tear it all apart
I beg you, burn me away
I won't become your hero
Just to fight the life I saved
Burn me away
I won't give up tomorrow
Just to lose it all today
I burn away
I burn away
I burn away
I burn away
My isolation is my course
The effect it has on life itself is a cancer on its source
I rue the moments spent between the fetish and the flame
Until this war is over, I won't ever lose my rage
I cut my name into my soul
I guess I'll never know
I beg you, burn me away
I won't become your hero
Just to fight the life I saved
Burn me away
I won't give up tomorrow
Just to lose it all today
Burn me away
I won't become your hero
Just to fight the life I saved
Burn me away
I won't give up tomorrow
Just to lose it all, lose it all today
Child of burning time
My only consolation is all lies
The apex of my consequence is dying here tonight
Winter hasn't ended and it always looks like rain
I can't remember anything, anything
Inside the absolution we succumb
And appetites are bittersweet I think I'm going numb
A chance to give up Avarice has marked my one regret
The child of burning time has gone, he hasn't come back
Before I tell my story, please consider who I am
I missed my window years ago, I'm doing all I can
A tragedy is commonplace but in the end they go away
My skin is still the only stain I'm left to wear in shame
I'll cut my name into my heart
I'll tear it all apart
I beg you, burn me away
I won't become your hero
Just to fight the life I saved
Burn me away
I won't give up tomorrow
Just to lose it all today
I burn away
I burn away
I burn away
I burn away
My isolation is my course
The effect it has on life itself is a cancer on its source
I rue the moments spent between the fetish and the flame
Until this war is over, I won't ever lose my rage
I cut my name into my soul
I guess I'll never know
I beg you, burn me away
I won't become your hero
Just to fight the life I saved
Burn me away
I won't give up tomorrow
Just to lose it all today
Burn me away
I won't become your hero
Just to fight the life I saved
Burn me away
I won't give up tomorrow
Just to lose it all, lose it all today
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This song is AMAZING. I absolutely love it. ^_^