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.
They say Victoria loved our Highlands
Well, that's because she owned them all
A feather pen and an iron fist
Put a people's back against the wall
The silent sheilings tell their tale
Of burning thatch and of ruined door
Of families driven from their homes
And a way of life that is no more, no more
They took it from the people
They took it from the people
Now kings and queens might be getting scarce
But watch that politician man
He'll smash your union, freeze your wages
And fill his pockets while he can
He'll close the mines and sell the railways
Ships and steel are gone the same
But if you've bought the lies he's selling
Then you'll know just who are the ones he'll blame
He'll blame it on the people
He'll blame it on the people
Now we've opted out of social justice
Privatized our conscience pains
Society does not exist, nor Scotland either,
That is plain
They're going to sell us back our water
That falls from Heaven to God's green earth
Is this the land of Bruce and Wallace
Is this the land of freedom and my birth?
Sell it to the people
Sell it to the people
Now this should be a rich wee country
We've gas and wood and coal and oil
Whiskey, the pipes and willing workers
All prepared to strive and toil
Let's give the country something special
Liberty in mair than name
Get off your knees, and cast your votes
And let the nation's voice be heard again
Make them listen to the people
Make them listen to the people
Will they listen to the people?
Well, that's because she owned them all
A feather pen and an iron fist
Put a people's back against the wall
The silent sheilings tell their tale
Of burning thatch and of ruined door
Of families driven from their homes
And a way of life that is no more, no more
They took it from the people
They took it from the people
Now kings and queens might be getting scarce
But watch that politician man
He'll smash your union, freeze your wages
And fill his pockets while he can
He'll close the mines and sell the railways
Ships and steel are gone the same
But if you've bought the lies he's selling
Then you'll know just who are the ones he'll blame
He'll blame it on the people
He'll blame it on the people
Now we've opted out of social justice
Privatized our conscience pains
Society does not exist, nor Scotland either,
That is plain
They're going to sell us back our water
That falls from Heaven to God's green earth
Is this the land of Bruce and Wallace
Is this the land of freedom and my birth?
Sell it to the people
Sell it to the people
Now this should be a rich wee country
We've gas and wood and coal and oil
Whiskey, the pipes and willing workers
All prepared to strive and toil
Let's give the country something special
Liberty in mair than name
Get off your knees, and cast your votes
And let the nation's voice be heard again
Make them listen to the people
Make them listen to the people
Will they listen to the people?
Lyrics submitted by Sophic
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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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