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.
used to listen to the freight trains when i was a child
smiled and waved as they sang on the tracks
and i didn't know where they were going
four wheels is a home
and a meal of second hand smoke
i couldn't make the rent this month
and i've been drinking since the morning
and oh mama take me home
and oh mama take me home
you've gotta live free to stay free
like a bird thats on her own
well we get there when we get there
so just live it slow
leaves collecting in a gutter behind a city wall where we used to get high
but now the leaves are surrounding it all
and i'm thinking maybe i love you, but maybe i'm wrong
and i don't sleep til the sun joins me
prys its fingers through my cold sheets
pick me up pull me out of this tomb
i've been waiting for you
no no
and oh mama take me home
and oh mama take me home
you've gotta live free to stay free
like a orphan on his own
you've got no home, you've got no one
so just let it go
go
just let it go
smiled and waved as they sang on the tracks
and i didn't know where they were going
four wheels is a home
and a meal of second hand smoke
i couldn't make the rent this month
and i've been drinking since the morning
and oh mama take me home
and oh mama take me home
you've gotta live free to stay free
like a bird thats on her own
well we get there when we get there
so just live it slow
leaves collecting in a gutter behind a city wall where we used to get high
but now the leaves are surrounding it all
and i'm thinking maybe i love you, but maybe i'm wrong
and i don't sleep til the sun joins me
prys its fingers through my cold sheets
pick me up pull me out of this tomb
i've been waiting for you
no no
and oh mama take me home
and oh mama take me home
you've gotta live free to stay free
like a orphan on his own
you've got no home, you've got no one
so just let it go
go
just let it go
Lyrics submitted by MeghanErin
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