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.
For so long I have waited
For this sense of urgency
For as long as I can remember
I've always been the type
Of person to just give in
I want to run just as fast I came in
I want to have the chance
To flee the scene
And to find peace
Oh, it’s so hard to find relief
With this excess sensitivity
To the crimes that have been
Committed to others, not only me
How long must I wait
Til I’m at peace again?
And how long must I wait
Til I am whole again?
Oh, how long must I wait
Til I’m at peace again?
And how long must I wait
To see your face again?
I've got one foot in the present day
And one foot in the grave
I've got one foot in the present day
And one foot in the grave
One foot in the present day
And one foot in the grave
One foot in the present day
And one foot in the grave
But, it’s your grace that gives us
The second chances that we don't deserve
And that we take for granted
But, it’s your grace that gives us
The second chances that we don't deserve
And that we take for granted
How long must I wait
Til I’m at peace again?
And how long must I wait
Til I am whole again?
Oh, how long must I wait
Til I’m at peace again?
And how long must I wait
To see your face again?
(To see your face again)
To see your face again
(To see your face again)
To see your face again
(To see your face again)
To see your face again
(To see your face again)
For this sense of urgency
For as long as I can remember
I've always been the type
Of person to just give in
I want to run just as fast I came in
I want to have the chance
To flee the scene
And to find peace
Oh, it’s so hard to find relief
With this excess sensitivity
To the crimes that have been
Committed to others, not only me
How long must I wait
Til I’m at peace again?
And how long must I wait
Til I am whole again?
Oh, how long must I wait
Til I’m at peace again?
And how long must I wait
To see your face again?
I've got one foot in the present day
And one foot in the grave
I've got one foot in the present day
And one foot in the grave
One foot in the present day
And one foot in the grave
One foot in the present day
And one foot in the grave
But, it’s your grace that gives us
The second chances that we don't deserve
And that we take for granted
But, it’s your grace that gives us
The second chances that we don't deserve
And that we take for granted
How long must I wait
Til I’m at peace again?
And how long must I wait
Til I am whole again?
Oh, how long must I wait
Til I’m at peace again?
And how long must I wait
To see your face again?
(To see your face again)
To see your face again
(To see your face again)
To see your face again
(To see your face again)
To see your face again
(To see your face again)
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I agree somewhat with emeryfan on this. I'm not sure if this band has christians in it so it may not be what they are meaning. From my point of view, however, this is talking about how he's scared of the world "want to have the chance to flee the scene and to find peace" and when he says he has one foot in the present day and one foot in the grave I take it to mean that he has one foot in this life and one foot in the next life in heaven where there is the peace he is seeking. Then he talks about grace that gives us a second chance and I believe he is talking about God's grace.