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.
I've been gone a long while now
But lately I've been back around
Them old days are gone and they ain't coming back
Oh Mamma, I think I'll be traveling now.
They chew you up and spit you out
They never build up, they always build out.
I never thought I'd miss that old hole we used to fish
Oh Mamma, it's just a strip mall now.
Homemade Halloween costume, flour paste instead of glue
When things were homemade I used to be so ashamed
Now Mamma I couldn't be more proud.
Them old days are gone and they ain't coming back
Oh Mamma, I think I'll be traveling now.
Living my life stuck in a van
Living in a way you can't understand
Mamma used to say you'll be president someday
Oh Mamma how I have left you down.
They chew you up and spit you out
They never build up, they always build out.
I never thought I'd miss that old hole we used to fish
Oh Mamma, it's just a strip mall now.
Them old days are gone and they ain't coming back
Oh Mamma, I think I'll be traveling now.
I never thought I'd miss that old hole we used to fish
Oh Mamma, it's just a strip mall now.
Them old days are gone and they ain't coming back
Oh Mamma, I think I'll be traveling now.
But lately I've been back around
Them old days are gone and they ain't coming back
Oh Mamma, I think I'll be traveling now.
They chew you up and spit you out
They never build up, they always build out.
I never thought I'd miss that old hole we used to fish
Oh Mamma, it's just a strip mall now.
Homemade Halloween costume, flour paste instead of glue
When things were homemade I used to be so ashamed
Now Mamma I couldn't be more proud.
Them old days are gone and they ain't coming back
Oh Mamma, I think I'll be traveling now.
Living my life stuck in a van
Living in a way you can't understand
Mamma used to say you'll be president someday
Oh Mamma how I have left you down.
They chew you up and spit you out
They never build up, they always build out.
I never thought I'd miss that old hole we used to fish
Oh Mamma, it's just a strip mall now.
Them old days are gone and they ain't coming back
Oh Mamma, I think I'll be traveling now.
I never thought I'd miss that old hole we used to fish
Oh Mamma, it's just a strip mall now.
Them old days are gone and they ain't coming back
Oh Mamma, I think I'll be traveling now.
Lyrics submitted by Josi
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I grew up in a small town in Northern Michigan and these lyrics hit close to home reminding me of them good old days. I grew up going fishing all of the time and I miss those days. At least the lakes are still there and there are no strip malls there but if there were it would be even more depressing. I cherish those days in my heart and as Reverend Peyton says them old days are gone so you can’t dwell on them too long. This song makes me feel better because I know others feel the same way I do.
In addition, the part about homemade Halloween costumes is exactly speaking to me when I was growing up. My mother was a sewer and made a lot of my costumes. At the time I was embarrassed but now I am so proud of my mother. She is truly an amazing woman who had 10 kids and had to make things.