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.
My great-granddaddy in black and white
Just back from Tennessee
Trouser leg flapping in the breeze
From a minnie ball in the knee
They say he'd stare into the fire
And tear out his own hair
From what he'd seen at Franklin
And the things that he did there
Oh Frankin Tennessee
Why you still scaring me?
Frankin Tennessee
Won't you leave me be?
Hood ordered them across that field
Two miles of open ground
Silently they closed up ranks
As the Yankees shot them down
Some reached a salient in the front
And it was hand to hand
From the view of 150 years
Who among us understands?
Oh Frankin Tennessee
Why you still scaring me?
Frankin Tennessee
Won't you leave me be?
They say that morphine dulled his pain
And drink dulled all the rest
And that all learned to be frightened
When he bellowed from his breast
Family turned to rebels
And friends to bounty men
Then he'd hang his head in shame
And do it all again
Oh Frankin Tennessee
Why you still scaring me?
Frankin Tennessee
Won't you leave me be?
So the glory was in Gettysburg
Where Pickett made his name
By losing his division
To a massed wall of flame
But more men fell at Franklin
And it went on and on
Minutes into hours
Until near everyone was gone
He died by his own hand
In 1884
He traveled back to Franklin
And laid on the killing floor
Said he wanted to see the other side
Where the glory it remains
So he put on his blue uniform
And put a bullet in his brain
Oh Frankin Tennessee
Why you still scaring me?
Frankin Tennessee
Won't you leave me be?
What hells do we create on earth
When men they die and kill
Old men in photo albums
And young ones forever still
Far away from their homes
And the love awaiting there
Duty and other's bidding
Another unanswered prayer
Oh Frankin Tennessee
Why you still scaring me?
Frankin Tennessee
Won't you leave me be?
Oh Frankin Tennessee
Why you still scaring me?
Frankin Tennessee
Won't you leave me be?
Just back from Tennessee
Trouser leg flapping in the breeze
From a minnie ball in the knee
They say he'd stare into the fire
And tear out his own hair
From what he'd seen at Franklin
And the things that he did there
Oh Frankin Tennessee
Why you still scaring me?
Frankin Tennessee
Won't you leave me be?
Hood ordered them across that field
Two miles of open ground
Silently they closed up ranks
As the Yankees shot them down
Some reached a salient in the front
And it was hand to hand
From the view of 150 years
Who among us understands?
Oh Frankin Tennessee
Why you still scaring me?
Frankin Tennessee
Won't you leave me be?
They say that morphine dulled his pain
And drink dulled all the rest
And that all learned to be frightened
When he bellowed from his breast
Family turned to rebels
And friends to bounty men
Then he'd hang his head in shame
And do it all again
Oh Frankin Tennessee
Why you still scaring me?
Frankin Tennessee
Won't you leave me be?
So the glory was in Gettysburg
Where Pickett made his name
By losing his division
To a massed wall of flame
But more men fell at Franklin
And it went on and on
Minutes into hours
Until near everyone was gone
He died by his own hand
In 1884
He traveled back to Franklin
And laid on the killing floor
Said he wanted to see the other side
Where the glory it remains
So he put on his blue uniform
And put a bullet in his brain
Oh Frankin Tennessee
Why you still scaring me?
Frankin Tennessee
Won't you leave me be?
What hells do we create on earth
When men they die and kill
Old men in photo albums
And young ones forever still
Far away from their homes
And the love awaiting there
Duty and other's bidding
Another unanswered prayer
Oh Frankin Tennessee
Why you still scaring me?
Frankin Tennessee
Won't you leave me be?
Oh Frankin Tennessee
Why you still scaring me?
Frankin Tennessee
Won't you leave me be?
Lyrics submitted by azkm
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