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.
When I stand and look about the port
And contemplate my life
Will I ever see my countrymen again?
As the captain calls us on the deck
I take my things and walk to the harborside
I glance back one last time
Fleeing our nation
Our problems we leave behind
Ships by the tenfold sail out on the tide
We are pleased to be out and embracing the open sea
Free from our troubles and more free from thee
Inheritors unfulfilled reason behind us
We flee from what is not what is will be
We flee the earth and face our harsh reality
Will death be low mist that hangs on the sea?
We run from the evil tongues
Rash judgements, selfish men
Never to be seen on these shores again
As we sail into ocean size
And lose sight of land
A face of contentment around in the air
We're off now to seek all our fortunes
To the land of our dreams
Riding the waves and the storm is upon us
The winds lash the sails
But the ropes keep them tight
Off in the distance a dark cloud approaching
None could imagine what there was to come
No, there's no one going back
No, there's not a second chance
As we strap onto the side
We pray to God that we won't die
As we ride the rough seas
As we soak from the ocean waves
I just hope for all our lives
And pray that I survive
Four ships are lost in the stormy conditions
The spirits of the sunken crews
Their phantoms follow us
Spirits sails, they drive us on
Through the all consuming waves
Cold mortality, no weapon
Against these ever raging seas
Four leagues and ten and we hit storms again
We just can't get away from the eye of the storm
The birds outsoar the raging storm
But we cannot escape it
Abandoned earth, that we now crave
Is many leagues from safe
Holding on for our dear lives
And we're praying once again
Rotten luck or just jonahed?
The talisman is in my hand
Limbs fatigues, trembling with cold
Blinded from the sea spray salt
Clasping anything we can hold
Heaven's rain upon us falls
Twenty days without a meal
And ten without fresh water still
Those that didn't die in storms
The scurvy rest did slaughter
Westwards the tide
Westwards we sail on
Westwards the tide
Sail by the talisman
We approach the other side
Of the ocean with the tide
In our favor just for once
Welcome greeting our new land
The elation in our hearts
The excitement in our veins
As we sail towards the coastline
Of our golden promised land
Weary limbs fatigued away
I have no life left in me
No more strength and nothing left to give
Must find the will to live
Never thought that we could make it
Truly sight of shores divine
The sickness I am dying from
Never wanted it to end this way
Westwards the tide
Westwards we sail on
Westwards the tide
Sail by the talisman
Westwards the tide
Westwards we sail
Westwards the tide
Sail by the talisman
And contemplate my life
Will I ever see my countrymen again?
As the captain calls us on the deck
I take my things and walk to the harborside
I glance back one last time
Fleeing our nation
Our problems we leave behind
Ships by the tenfold sail out on the tide
We are pleased to be out and embracing the open sea
Free from our troubles and more free from thee
Inheritors unfulfilled reason behind us
We flee from what is not what is will be
We flee the earth and face our harsh reality
Will death be low mist that hangs on the sea?
We run from the evil tongues
Rash judgements, selfish men
Never to be seen on these shores again
As we sail into ocean size
And lose sight of land
A face of contentment around in the air
We're off now to seek all our fortunes
To the land of our dreams
Riding the waves and the storm is upon us
The winds lash the sails
But the ropes keep them tight
Off in the distance a dark cloud approaching
None could imagine what there was to come
No, there's no one going back
No, there's not a second chance
As we strap onto the side
We pray to God that we won't die
As we ride the rough seas
As we soak from the ocean waves
I just hope for all our lives
And pray that I survive
Four ships are lost in the stormy conditions
The spirits of the sunken crews
Their phantoms follow us
Spirits sails, they drive us on
Through the all consuming waves
Cold mortality, no weapon
Against these ever raging seas
Four leagues and ten and we hit storms again
We just can't get away from the eye of the storm
The birds outsoar the raging storm
But we cannot escape it
Abandoned earth, that we now crave
Is many leagues from safe
Holding on for our dear lives
And we're praying once again
Rotten luck or just jonahed?
The talisman is in my hand
Limbs fatigues, trembling with cold
Blinded from the sea spray salt
Clasping anything we can hold
Heaven's rain upon us falls
Twenty days without a meal
And ten without fresh water still
Those that didn't die in storms
The scurvy rest did slaughter
Westwards the tide
Westwards we sail on
Westwards the tide
Sail by the talisman
We approach the other side
Of the ocean with the tide
In our favor just for once
Welcome greeting our new land
The elation in our hearts
The excitement in our veins
As we sail towards the coastline
Of our golden promised land
Weary limbs fatigued away
I have no life left in me
No more strength and nothing left to give
Must find the will to live
Never thought that we could make it
Truly sight of shores divine
The sickness I am dying from
Never wanted it to end this way
Westwards the tide
Westwards we sail on
Westwards the tide
Sail by the talisman
Westwards the tide
Westwards we sail
Westwards the tide
Sail by the talisman
Lyrics submitted by revanchist
The Talisman Lyrics as written by Stephen Percy Harris Janick Gers
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Yeah, it's mostly about a journey across the sea. And one thing I noticed is that the music picks up and becomes a lot faster when the currents become a lot more dangerous in the story.
But this may just be me, but I feel that this is another metaphor for life. Each ship represents a person/friend. The storm represents the hardships of life. When he leaves, that could mean that he starts living on his own, or something on those lines. As to what the land would mean is beyond me. But again, it's just a hunch, I may be wrong. I always look for the meanings behind the what is put before you.