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.
Like strangers on the road
A distant view
I saw someone who looked like you
My blood ran chill as snow
My body shook
I'd only thought where not to look
I've hung the sky with stars
With stars in hopes you came
I called you by
I called you by your childhood name
Tears raining in my heart
My heart a funeral kiss
I never thought
I never thought it'd end like this
Not you alone, you won't delay
Or wound the dawning of the day
Not you alone, this voice was screaming
A ray of hope, get up, stop dreaming
Joined hands and downcast eyes,
The curious crowd,
Very angry, very loud
The saddest of farewells
The pouring rain
A ticket on an empty train
Not you alone, you won't delay
Or wound the dawning of the day
Not you alone, this voice was screaming
A ray of hope, get up, stop dreaming
Oh, I am too near
I am too near, so much to lose
I wonder how, how she'll take the news
Like emeralds from the sky
The sky, the green pier lights
How children would
How children would have loved those sights
Hearts ticking through the night
The night the morning bells
The wait for death
The wait for death in shore hotels
Not you alone, you won't delay
Or wound the dawning of the day
Not you alone, this voice was screaming
A ray of hope, get up, stop dreaming
Oh, I am too near
I am too near, so much to lose,
I wonder how, how she'll take the news.
Coffins with sails set by the brave
Sharp pointed spears around each grave
Not you alone
Not you alone
Not you alone
Not you alone
Not you alone.
A distant view
I saw someone who looked like you
My blood ran chill as snow
My body shook
I'd only thought where not to look
I've hung the sky with stars
With stars in hopes you came
I called you by
I called you by your childhood name
Tears raining in my heart
My heart a funeral kiss
I never thought
I never thought it'd end like this
Not you alone, you won't delay
Or wound the dawning of the day
Not you alone, this voice was screaming
A ray of hope, get up, stop dreaming
Joined hands and downcast eyes,
The curious crowd,
Very angry, very loud
The saddest of farewells
The pouring rain
A ticket on an empty train
Not you alone, you won't delay
Or wound the dawning of the day
Not you alone, this voice was screaming
A ray of hope, get up, stop dreaming
Oh, I am too near
I am too near, so much to lose
I wonder how, how she'll take the news
Like emeralds from the sky
The sky, the green pier lights
How children would
How children would have loved those sights
Hearts ticking through the night
The night the morning bells
The wait for death
The wait for death in shore hotels
Not you alone, you won't delay
Or wound the dawning of the day
Not you alone, this voice was screaming
A ray of hope, get up, stop dreaming
Oh, I am too near
I am too near, so much to lose,
I wonder how, how she'll take the news.
Coffins with sails set by the brave
Sharp pointed spears around each grave
Not you alone
Not you alone
Not you alone
Not you alone
Not you alone.
Lyrics submitted by wildflowerfever
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