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.
So much I thought I'd have to say
Though I try to speak, my meaning strays.
We can't avoid the facts that brought us here.
I have come to say goodbye.
The lies I try to tell with my own eyes;
An act of pride, a willful compromise.
Please understand how torn I am
When I walk away from here.
I lament the moments we won't share.
If I am far too sentimental, I apologize.
Please understand this is who I am
And who I'll still be when I've walked away from here.
You know I'm not unkind
When I say in the future,
The past is just the past.
No going back,
No change of heart
But this is now,
Time will not differ.
My thoughts(?) betray, so easily confess(?)
How long I'll wait here after you have gone.
Nothing ends(?) but I don't believe that now
Please don't walk away from here.
I went alone and I remember days.
Nothing will change a single fact(?) of who you were to me
Oh, come what may, forever to the end
I find it so hard to let you go.
And hush now, let it go now
There's no need for sad goodbyes.
Hush now, let it go now
I know it's time to go.
Time to let this fall from my hands
Though I try to speak, my meaning strays.
We can't avoid the facts that brought us here.
I have come to say goodbye.
The lies I try to tell with my own eyes;
An act of pride, a willful compromise.
Please understand how torn I am
When I walk away from here.
I lament the moments we won't share.
If I am far too sentimental, I apologize.
Please understand this is who I am
And who I'll still be when I've walked away from here.
You know I'm not unkind
When I say in the future,
The past is just the past.
No going back,
No change of heart
But this is now,
Time will not differ.
My thoughts(?) betray, so easily confess(?)
How long I'll wait here after you have gone.
Nothing ends(?) but I don't believe that now
Please don't walk away from here.
I went alone and I remember days.
Nothing will change a single fact(?) of who you were to me
Oh, come what may, forever to the end
I find it so hard to let you go.
And hush now, let it go now
There's no need for sad goodbyes.
Hush now, let it go now
I know it's time to go.
Time to let this fall from my hands
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
My interpreation of this song is letting go of the past or the life you once had. Maybe almost like a suicide note too.
"And hush now, let it go now There's no need for sad goodbyes. Hush now, let it go now I know it's time to go. Time to let this fall from my hands"
Personally to me this song represents finally dealing with an estranged parent, not holding on to hope that one day that relationship will repair but letting go instead, freeing myself of that pain.
"I went alone and I remember days. Nothing will change a single fact of who you were to me Oh, come what may, forever to the end I find it so hard to let you go."
"Hush now, let it go now I know it's time to go. Time to let this fall from my hands"