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.
Tell me again
When I’ve been to the river
And I’ve taken the edge off my thirst
Tell me again
We’re alone and I’m listening
I’m listening so hard that it hurts
Tell me again
When I’m clean and I’m sober
Tell me again
When I’ve seen through the horror
Tell me again
Tell me over and over
Tell me that you want me then
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
Tell me again
When the victims are singing
And the laws of remorse are restored
Tell me again
That you know what I’m thinking
But vengeance belongs to the Lord
Tell me again
When I’m clean and I’m sober
Tell me again
When I’ve seen through the horror
Tell me again
Tell me over and over
Tell me that you love me then
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
Tell me again
When the day has been ransomed
And the night has no right to begin
Try me again
When the angels are panting
And scratching at the door to come in
Tell me again
When I’m clean and I’m sober
Tell me again
When I’ve seen through the horror
Tell me again
Tell me over and over
Tell me that you need me then
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
Tell me again
When the filth of the butcher
Is washed in the blood of the lamb
Tell me again
When the rest of the culture
Has passed through the eye of the camp
Tell me again
When I’m clean and I’m sober
Tell me again
When I’ve seen through the horror
Tell me again
Tell me over and over
Tell me that you love me then
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
When I’ve been to the river
And I’ve taken the edge off my thirst
Tell me again
We’re alone and I’m listening
I’m listening so hard that it hurts
Tell me again
When I’m clean and I’m sober
Tell me again
When I’ve seen through the horror
Tell me again
Tell me over and over
Tell me that you want me then
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
Tell me again
When the victims are singing
And the laws of remorse are restored
Tell me again
That you know what I’m thinking
But vengeance belongs to the Lord
Tell me again
When I’m clean and I’m sober
Tell me again
When I’ve seen through the horror
Tell me again
Tell me over and over
Tell me that you love me then
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
Tell me again
When the day has been ransomed
And the night has no right to begin
Try me again
When the angels are panting
And scratching at the door to come in
Tell me again
When I’m clean and I’m sober
Tell me again
When I’ve seen through the horror
Tell me again
Tell me over and over
Tell me that you need me then
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
Tell me again
When the filth of the butcher
Is washed in the blood of the lamb
Tell me again
When the rest of the culture
Has passed through the eye of the camp
Tell me again
When I’m clean and I’m sober
Tell me again
When I’ve seen through the horror
Tell me again
Tell me over and over
Tell me that you love me then
Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen
Lyrics submitted by realexkav, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Amen Lyrics as written by Leonard Cohen
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Amazing
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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Tell me again when I've been to the river And I've taken the edge off my thirst Tell me again when we're alone and I'm listening Listening so hard that it hurts Tell me again when I'm clean and sober Tell me again when I've seen through the horror Tell me again, tell me over and over Tell me that you want me then Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen Amen
Tell me again when the victims are singing And the laws of remorse are restored Tell me again that you know what I'm thinking But vengeance belongs to the Lord. Tell me again when I'm clean and I'm sober Tell me again when I've seen through the horror Tell me again, tell me over and over, Tell me that you love me then Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen Amen
Tell me again when the day has been ransomed And the night has no right to begin Try me again when the angels are panting And scratching at the door to come in. Tell me again when I'm clean and I'm sober Tell me again when I've seen through the horror Tell me again, tell me over and over Tell me again that you need me then Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen Amen
Tell me again when the filth of the butcher Is washed in the blood of the lamb Tell me again when the rest of the culture Has passed through the eye of the cam Tell me again when I'm clean and I'm sober Tell me again when I've seen through the horror Tell me again, tell me over and over Tell me that you love me then Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen Amen
I think the song is about hypocrisy. People utter religious platitudes such as 'amen' but don't actually seek to be virtuous until they have had their pleasures. Some people want to wait until they are sober and other want to commit atrocities first. Wonderful song - one of Leonard's best, in my opinion.