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.
VERSE 1
There's a halo round the moon tonight
A swooning wave of endless light
Saying, "Sail beyond my cratered face
Into the depths of space"
Ascending now, I climb the stair
Jacob's Ladder to the watcher's lair
It was Gabriel that met me there
My guide outside the air
CHORUS 1
The halo of the moon
Ring around that burning pond
In the great beyond
The kingdom of eternal dawn
Calling out to me:
"come explore my mystery"
Says the halo of the moon
VERSE 2
Gabriel the angel said to me
"Will the Son of Adam come and see
Where the earthly things come to an end
And Heaven's dance begins:
"Where Elijah flaming flew away
Beyond the rule of night or day
Did he rendezvous with Enoch there
to fly where only angels dare?"
CHORUS 2
The halo of the moon
Lunar light to rule the night
Riding in the skies
Where the Godhead said "Let there be light"
Leave the earth beside
And see the sovereignty of God
Through the halo of the moon
BRIDGE
Endowment of epiphany
In praising proud polyphony
Heaven singing to the tune
[instrumental chorus]
CHORUS 3
Halo of the moon
Ring around that pearly pond
In the great beyond
Kingdom of eternal dawn
Calling down to me
Come explore my mystery
In the halo of the moon
CODA
There's a halo round the moon tonight...
A swooning wave of endless light...
It's the lesser, lunar ruler of the night...
Come explore with me the mystery
Come see the halo of the moon
There's a halo round the moon tonight
A swooning wave of endless light
Saying, "Sail beyond my cratered face
Into the depths of space"
Ascending now, I climb the stair
Jacob's Ladder to the watcher's lair
It was Gabriel that met me there
My guide outside the air
CHORUS 1
The halo of the moon
Ring around that burning pond
In the great beyond
The kingdom of eternal dawn
Calling out to me:
"come explore my mystery"
Says the halo of the moon
VERSE 2
Gabriel the angel said to me
"Will the Son of Adam come and see
Where the earthly things come to an end
And Heaven's dance begins:
"Where Elijah flaming flew away
Beyond the rule of night or day
Did he rendezvous with Enoch there
to fly where only angels dare?"
CHORUS 2
The halo of the moon
Lunar light to rule the night
Riding in the skies
Where the Godhead said "Let there be light"
Leave the earth beside
And see the sovereignty of God
Through the halo of the moon
BRIDGE
Endowment of epiphany
In praising proud polyphony
Heaven singing to the tune
[instrumental chorus]
CHORUS 3
Halo of the moon
Ring around that pearly pond
In the great beyond
Kingdom of eternal dawn
Calling down to me
Come explore my mystery
In the halo of the moon
CODA
There's a halo round the moon tonight...
A swooning wave of endless light...
It's the lesser, lunar ruler of the night...
Come explore with me the mystery
Come see the halo of the moon
Lyrics submitted by pschellhase
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