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.
Oh scarecrow
You know why I'm asleep?
All the weight you bear you cannot carry
You know you're just like you're mother
And your bag all packed to go
And you hid your heart from everyone you know
You say you'd never love another
Unless they bore your own name
Oh your kin, they trample on you just the same
Oh I gave my love to a harlot I'm told
And the blackness of a scarecrow no one knows
well I'm red in the blood that I have drained
That I wasted in a rain
Well your love that takes your picture
And your love that worships
Well if you can't see it then soon you will
And you frequent the same stripclub
You love to watch the ladies dance
Well you always know I don't do shit like that
While I was out in Scotland
You were out with him
And you took your shot and you threw up your limbs
Oh I gave my love to a harlot I'm told
And the blackness of a scarecrow you cannot hold
well I'm red in the blood that I have drained
That I wasted in a rain
Well you deserve applause for splitting me into
Well I count you on the list of a mortal few
Well I hope that you were happy
I could only wish you the best
But your beauty vacant setting in the west
And this may just say redundant because you've chosen your own fate
Was I more to you than just a pretty face
Well I'll give my love to a harlot I will
And the blackness of a scarecrow you cannot kill
well I'm red in the blood that I have drained
That I wasted waiting for rain
You know why I'm asleep?
All the weight you bear you cannot carry
You know you're just like you're mother
And your bag all packed to go
And you hid your heart from everyone you know
You say you'd never love another
Unless they bore your own name
Oh your kin, they trample on you just the same
Oh I gave my love to a harlot I'm told
And the blackness of a scarecrow no one knows
well I'm red in the blood that I have drained
That I wasted in a rain
Well your love that takes your picture
And your love that worships
Well if you can't see it then soon you will
And you frequent the same stripclub
You love to watch the ladies dance
Well you always know I don't do shit like that
While I was out in Scotland
You were out with him
And you took your shot and you threw up your limbs
Oh I gave my love to a harlot I'm told
And the blackness of a scarecrow you cannot hold
well I'm red in the blood that I have drained
That I wasted in a rain
Well you deserve applause for splitting me into
Well I count you on the list of a mortal few
Well I hope that you were happy
I could only wish you the best
But your beauty vacant setting in the west
And this may just say redundant because you've chosen your own fate
Was I more to you than just a pretty face
Well I'll give my love to a harlot I will
And the blackness of a scarecrow you cannot kill
well I'm red in the blood that I have drained
That I wasted waiting for rain
Lyrics submitted by alexpigment
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The second line is "why I must leave"
And in a live video of Matt, he says it's about a girl he used to date who wanted to be a stripper. Her mom got her into a concert by flashing the security guard. So that kinda explains the whole, "just like your mother" bit. He heard about her stripper plans while in Germany. She made a bunch of money. Then she cheated on him.
On another note, I think the "blackness of a scarecrow" part refers to the fact that scarecrows are like soulless people. There's a void or a blackness in them, like Scarecrow from Wizard of Oz. He wanted a brain. This scarecrow woman is kinda heartless.
"I gave my love to a harlot I'm told." I know the feeling. Lovknote2 summed up the song.
:)
"for splitting me in two"